Utilizing Eastern White Cedar to Improve the Resistance of Strand Boards to Mold and Decay Fungi (Report‪)‬

Abstract This study was aimed at developing new methods to utilize eastern white cedar to increase the mold- and decay-resistance of panels consisting of aspen strands. Three types of panels were made under hot-pressing conditions similar to those used in the oriented strand board (OSB) panel industry: panels treated with white cedar extracts before and after hot pressing, panels made of three layers with white cedar in the two face layers and aspen in the core layer, and panels made of a mixture of white cedar and aspen strands. Resistance of the panels to mold and decay was evaluated as well as their physical and mechanical properties. Test results showed that using white cedar strands in the face layers of a strandboard panel was the most effective way to improve the mold- and decay-resistance of panels constructed with aspen strands.