A comparative study of the microstructure and water permeability between flattened bamboo and bamboo culm

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the microstructure, water permeability and the adhesion of waterborne coating on the flattened bamboo. The flattened bamboo was obtained by softening bamboo culm at 180 °C followed by compression. The microstructure and chemical component of flattened bamboo were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The adhesion and interface structure of waterborne coating onto flattened bamboo surface were also examined. The result indicated that the parenchyma cells in flattened bamboo were compressed, and starch in the parenchyma cell was extracted during the softening and flattening process in which the main chemical component did not change significantly. The water permeability of both flattened bamboo and bamboo culm is dependent on the direction: longitudinal direction > tangential direction > radial direction. However, the water permeability in all three directions in flattened bamboo was higher than those in the untreated bamboo. In addition, alkali dye solution was found to more easily permeate through the flattened bamboo when compared to acid dye solution, and the permeability varied depending on alkali dye or acid dye concentration. The adhesion of water-based polyurethane coating on the flattened bamboo can reach the second level.