Suitability of mixed species of bamboo (Bambusa polymorpha and Bambusa tulda) for medium-density particle board

Abstract

Bamboo is a versatile and important building material particularly in Asian countries. It has a higher compressive strength than wood, brick or concrete and a tensile strength that rivals steel. Particleboard offers a mean to utilize the wide verities of forest and industrial wood waste. In the present study, suitability of mixed particles of two bamboo species for the preparation of medium-density particle board has been assessed. Properties of medium-density particle board prepared using mixed dried particles of Bambusa polymorpha and Bambusa tulda at three different ratio of particle, i.e., 30:70, 50:50, 70:30, two different resin content, i.e., 10 and 12% and two different pressures, i.e., 14 and 17.5 kg/cm2 at 150 °C have been evaluated as per Indian Standard Specification IS: 2380-1977. Suitable particle board can be prepared by mixing particles of B. tulda and B. polymorpha in the ratio of 30:70 with 12% resin content at 14 kg/cm2 specific pressure for 15 min. The particle board meets most of the requirements of medium-density particle board as per the Indian Standard IS 3087-1985 except water absorption and swelling due to surface absorption, which may be controlled by adding wax emulsion at time of glue mixing.