Composite materials from totora (Schoenoplectus californicus. C.A. Mey, Sojak): Is it worth it?

Totora (Schoenoplectus californicus. C.A. Mey, Sojak) is an annual-cycled macrophyte from the Cyperaceae family that has been used by indigenous people of the Americas for more than 500 years to produce a wide range of objects from handicrafts to boats and huts. In this study, the hot-pressing process was applied to produce boards from totora particles without added adhesives. First, the physical and mechanical properties of totora binder-free boards are described. Secondly, several factors that influence the properties of totora boards are taken into account. However, is it worth it to produce such boards? In this paper, the reasonability of potential production of these boards is considered from a complex point of view. Although totora shows several benefits such as its fast-growth rate, high dry matter productivity, and potential environmental benefits; the water uptake (92–341%), thickness swelling (75–227%) and internal bonding (18–85 kPa) of the binderless boards made with the parameters described in this study could not comply with current standards. Further research on treatments or different production parameters can lead to better properties.