BAMBOO FIBER REINFORCED BINDERLESS GREEN COMPOSITES FROM STEAM-EXPLODED BAMBOO POWDER

Abstract

In this paper, we attempted to prepare the binderless green composite using bamboo fiber and steam-exploded bamboo powder as matrix. The influence of molding conditions on their tensile behavior was investigated by changing the molding temperature, pressure and time. Except for the composites molded at low temperatures from 100°C to 120°C, their tensile strength decreased with increasing the molding temperature. When the molding time increased, their tensile strength decreased. Average tensile strength of the binderless bamboo green composite molded at 120°C and 10 MPa for 10 min was 170 MPa. The decreases in tensile strength of binderless composites molded at temperatures higher than 120°C may be responsible for the strength drop of the reinforcing bamboo fiber derived from thermal decomposition. In order to obtain detailed information about the adhesion behavior of bamboo powder and bamboo fiber, photomicrographs were taken of the fracture surfaces of the composites. The results show that molding condition, especially molding temperature, has a great effect on the mechanical properties of bamboo fiber reinforced binderless green composites.