Alkali and Plasma-Treated Guadua angustifolia Bamboo Fibers:A Study on Reinforcement Potential for Polymeric Matrices

This study focuses on treating Guadua angustifolia bamboo fibers to enhance their properties for reinforcement applications in composite materials.Chemical(alkali)and physical(dry etching plasma)treatments were used separately to augment compatibility of Guadua angustifolia fibers with various composite matrices.The influence of these treatments on the fibers’performance,chemical composition,and surface morphology were analyzed.Statistical analysis indicated that alkali treatments reduced the tensile modulus of elasticity and strength of fibers by up to 40%and 20%,respectively,whereas plasma treatments maintain the fibers’mechanical performance.FTIR spectroscopy revealed significant alterations in chemical composition due to alkali treatments,while plasma-treated fibers showed minimal changes.Surface examination through Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM)revealed post-treatment modifications in both cases;alkali treatments served as a cleanser,eliminating lignin and hemicellulose from the fiber surface,whereas plasma treatments also produce rough surfaces.These results validate the impact of the treatments on the fiber mechanical performance,which opens up possibilities for using Guadua angustifolia fibers as an alternative reinforcement in composite manufacturing.

Properties and Applications of Bamboo Fiber—A Current-State-of-the Art

Fibers are used in many forms in engineering applications–one of the most common being used as reinforcement.Due to its renewable short natural growth cycle and abundance of bamboo resources,bamboo fiber has attracted attention over other natural fibers.Bamboo fiber has a complex natural structure but offers excellent mechanical properties,which are utilized in the textile,papermaking,construction,and composites industry.However,bam-boo fibers can easily absorb moisture and are prone to corrosion limiting their use in engineering applications.Therefore,a better understanding of bamboo fiber is particularly important.This paper reviews all existing research on the mechanical characterization of bamboo fiber with an emphasis on the extraction and treatment techniques,and their effect on relevant properties.The chemical composition of bamboo fibers has also been thoroughly investigated and presented herein.Current applications and future opportunities for bamboo fibers in various fields have been presented with a focus on research needs.This work can serve as a reference for future research on bamboo fiber.

Effects of characteristic inhomogeneity of bamboo culm nodes on mechanical properties of bamboo fiber reinforced composite

Dendrocalamus farinosus and Phyllostachys heterocycla bamboo logs were subjected to a novel treat- ment process for the preparation of bamboo fiber mats （BFMs）, and the obtained BFM were used to fabricate bamboo fiber reinforced composite （BFRC）. We studied the mechanical properties of the BFRCs manufactured from the mats with and without bamboo nodes. The pres- ence of nodes in BFM greatly reduced tensile strength, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture of the BFRCs, while the BFRCs fabricated from BFMs with nodes possessed higher horizontal shear strength. Therefore, the nodes in bamboo culms were an important factor in the uniform distribution of mechanical properties, and BFMs should be homogeneously arranged to reduce the impact of nodes on the mechanical strengths of BFRCs.

Production of Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Fibrillated Poly(Lactic Acid)(PLA) Material Obtained by a Papermaking Process

A devised beating process was applied, which enabled the formation of slurry consisting of uniformly dispersed fibrillated polylactic acid（PLA） fibers with bamboo fiber, and the polymer material was obtained by a conventional papermaking process. Owing to the fast dewatering time, good repeatability and the facility to manufacture on a large scale, this process was used. It was revealed that the beaten PLA fiber was overall in machinery extrusion by the results of optical microscope and scanning electron microscope（SEM） observations. The improvement in the tensile index, burst index, tear index and other mechanical properties was considered as a key benefit as a result of adding bamboo fiber.

Bamboo Fiber Modified Asphalt Mixture Proportion Design and Road Performances Based on Response Surface Method

In order to comprehensively utilize the remaining bamboo residue of bamboo products,this paper presents a research on recycling the bamboo fibers from bamboo residue for improving the performance of the asphalt mixtures.First of all,the basic performance parameters of sinocalamus affinis fiber,phyllostachys pubescens fiber,green bamboo fiber were tested and analyzed,and the optimal content and length were put forward.Then,the mix ratio design of the bamboo fiber modified asphalt mixture was further designed through the response surface method,and was verified the rationality of the mix ratio.Finally,the mixture specimens were made according to the experimental design mix ratio,and the high temperature,low temperature performance and moisture susceptibility of the bamboo fiber modified mixtures asphalt were tested.The results showed that the high temperature performance,low temperature performance and moisture susceptibility of bamboo fiber modified asphalt mixtures were improved compared with the performance of SBS modified asphalt mixture.When the length of bamboo fiber is 7.25 mm and the content of 0.22%,the road performance of the asphalt mixture was optimal.Consequentially,the decomposition of bamboo residue into bamboo fiber and its application in asphalt pavement can improve the reuse of bamboo waste,with remarkable environmental benefits and great promotion value.

NTDC United with Jigao to Promote “TANBOOCEL” Bamboo Fiber

On March 27th,the National Textile Development Center and Hebei Jigao Chemical Fibre Co.,Ltd united together in Beijing to announce that

Evaluation of statistical strength of bamboo fiber and mechanical properties of fiber reinforced green composites

Green composites made from bamboo fibers and biodegradable resins were fabricated with press molding.On the basis of the Weibull distribution and the weakest-link theory,the statistical strength and distribution of bamboo fiber were analyzed,and the tensile strength of green composites was also investigated.The result confirms that the tensile statistical strength of fiber fits well with two-parameter Weibull distribution.In addition,the tensile strength of bamboo fiber reinforced composites is about 330 MPa with the fiber volume fraction of 70%.This value is close to or higher than that of other natural fiber reinforced green composites.

Flexural Properties of Long Bamboo Fiber/ PLA Composites

This paper describes the flexural properties of biodegradable composites made using natural fiber and biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable composites were fabricated from bamboo fiber bundles and PLA (polylactic acid) resin. In this research, effect of molding temperature and fiber content on flexural properties of bamboo fiber reinforced composites was investigated. The flexural strength of this composite increased with increasing fiber content up to 70%. The flexural strength of composites decreased at molding temperature of 180&degC. Biodegradable composites possessed extremely high flexural strength of 273 MPa, in the case of molding temperature of 160&degC and fiber content of 70%.

Bamboo Fibers Elaborating Cellulose Hydrogel Films for Medical Applications

Bamboo fibers were used as source to prepare cellulose hydrogel films for cell cultivation scaffold. The preparation of cellulose solutions was carried out by three different dissolving methods with NaOH-based and NaOH/urea aqueous solutions and DMAc/LiCl solution. Several hydrogel films were elaborated and their properties were compared to evaluate the effect of the dissolving method. It was found that tensile strength of the resultant hydrogel films increased from 21 to 66 N/mm2 when DMAc/LiCl was used instead of the NaOH/urea solution. The same tendency was observed in the obtained elongation values. Moreover, a remarkable difference in fibroblast cell cultivation was observed in higher cell density, when DMAc/LiCl method was used. The obtained results with DMAc/LiCl also were seen to be higher than the results for PS dish used as control. However, low cytocompatibility was observed when NaOH and NaOH/urea methods were used. The obtained results showed that hydrogel films elaborated with cellulose solution prepared with DMAc/LiCl method exhibited good cytocompatibility for the cell cultivation scaffold.

Effect of Filler Content and Alkalization on Mechanical and Erosion Wear Behavior of CBPD Filled Bamboo Fiber Composites

In this study the mechanical and erosion wear behavior of bamboo fiber reinforce epoxy composites filled with Cement By-Pass Dust (CBPD) were studied. The effect of CBPD content and alkalization on the various properties of these composites was also investigated. Taguchi’s orthogonal arrays are used for analysis of experiential results. It identifies significant control factors influencing the erosion wear and also outlines significant interaction effects. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test has also been performed on the measured data to find the most significant factors affecting erosion rate. Finally, eroded surfaces of both untreated and alkali treated bamboo fiber reinforced composites were characterized using SEM.

Mechanical Properties of Uni-Directional Long Bamboo Fiber/Bamboo Powder Composite Materials

This paper describes the mechanical properties of the composite materials produced using long bamboo fiber and bamboo powder. Bamboo fiber and powder can be hot press-molded much like plastic materials, and the use of these materials in place of plastic products would reduce the environmental impact of extensive plastic use. In this study, the tensile and flexural properties of molded uni-directional long fiber reinforced composites made from bamboo fiber bundles and Bamboo powder were examined. The results showed that the tensile and flexural strength of bamboo fiber/powder composites were increased with increasing fiber content. On the other side, both strengths of composite were decreased with increasing molding temperature after 180℃. The highest tensile and flexural strengths of the bamboo fiber reinforced bamboo powder composites specimens which were tested were recorded at 169.9 MPa and 221.1 MPa, respectively.

Study of Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene Effect on Resin Impregnated Bamboo Fiber Polypropylene Composit

Previously, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and phenolic resin were used for resin impregnated bamboo fiber reinforced PP composites which was manufactures for resin impregnated bamboo fiber with polypropylene (PP). Resin impregnation method can show improvement on tensile strength of fiber. However, to reduce the contact surface area and low inter-facial shear strength (IFSS) between impregnated resin and matrix, using 40% weight fraction of bamboo fiber in PP matrix, PVA impregnated composites with mean flexural and tensile strength 10% higher than untreated composites were produced butphenolic resin impregnated fiber reinforced composition’s mechanical properties were decreased. In this study maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) was used to increase interfacial shear strength between resin impregnated fiber and PP. With 10% MAPP, IFSS between resin impregnated fiber and PP increased more than 100% and reinforced composites. MAPP with untreated, phenolic resin and PVA impregnated cases showed similar mechanical properties. Yet in water absorption test, the PVA treatment with bamboo/PP composites increased water absorption ratio. But with 10% MAPP, matrix PP water absorption ratio decreased like phenolic resin impregnated fiber reinforced composites. 10% MAPP with resin impregnated bamboo fiber reinforced PP composites can improve IFSS, mechanical properties of composite and can decrease water absorption PVA resin impregnated bamboo fiber reinforced composites.

Effect of Waste Bamboo Fiber Addition on Mechanical Properties of Soil

For soil improvement, a method using plant fiber has been used since ancient times. In recent years, the construction method using plant fiber has attracted attention as a ground improvement technology with less environmental load. In this work, the soil improvement effect using waste bamboo fiber was experimentally examined. The liquid limit and plastic limit of the mixed soil tended to increase with increasing bamboo fiber content and there was no change in the plasticity index of the mixed soil by the difference of bamboo fiber content. As a result from the compaction test and unconfined compression test, it was revealed that mixing of bamboo fiber resulted in a reduction of soil material required for construction and increasing in strength. The maximum compressive stress of the bamboo fiber mixed soil at the mixing ratio of 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% were 115, 108, 130 and 152 kN/m2, respectively. As the soil with fiber showed the lower stiffness and higher strength than that without fiber in the dry region, it can be judged that the addition of fiber brought ductility to the soil. And it was found that the decrease in the stiffness of the specimen due to the increase of water content was suppressed by the addition of the bamboo fiber. From the results of the observation with the digital microscope, it was observed that the two-layer structure consisting of the main relatively thick fibrous structure and the secondary capillary fibrous structure were formed. Thus, it was found that the complex structure of the bamboo fiber is deeply involved in the strength of the mixed soil.

Influence of the Age of Bamboo Culm and Its Vertical Position on the Technological Properties of Bamboo Fibers: A Case of Bambusa vulgaris Species from Cameroonian Culture

Due to their interesting properties, bamboo fibers are more and more used as reinforcements in polymer matrices as a substitute for synthetic fibers. For their future service life, it is important to understand their physical and mechanical behavior over time in order to control the aging phenomenon within this fiber. The paper analyzed the influence of the age of the bamboo thatch and the vertical position of the Bambusa vulgaris species cultivated in Cameroon on the physicomechanical properties of the fibers extracted from the thatch. Fibers were mechanically extracted from three bamboo culms aged respectively 3 years (BV3), 4 years (BV4) and 5 years (BV5). The culms were thus identified according to their number of ramifications, and were felled no abated for a total of three culms. A section of about one meter on each of the parts (lower part, middle part, upper part) of these three culms was made for the opposite technological studies. Each age was therefore represented by three portions of thatch, one from the upper part, one from the middle part and the last from the lower part of the thatch, all giving a total number of nine samples taken and marked BV3inf, BV3moy, BV3sup, BV4inf, BV4moy, BV4sup, BV5inf, BV5moy, BV5sup before handling in the laboratory. Physical (density, moisture absorption rate) and mechanical (tensile tests according to DIN EN ISO 13934-1, natural durability) characterizations were used to better understand the mechanisms of this influence. In view of all the results obtained, the fiber from the upper part of the 3-year-old thatch (BV3sup) is the one with the best characteristics and is recommended for a better elaboration of bamboo fiber composites: (Density: 0.83;Absorption rate 11.7%;Young’s modulus: 7.4 GPa;Maximal stress: 64.3 MPa;Elongation at rupture: 1.1;Loss of mass natural durability: 7.63%).

Physico-Mechanical Characterisation of an Earth Bar and Bamboo Fiber Composite Material for Road Construction

Road construction in Africa is faced with a shortage of quality materials, leading to delays and increased costs. Traditional materials, such as clay soils of the bar soil type, have inadequate properties for pavement sub-base layers, particularly in terms of bearing capacity. This study explores a composite material combining bar soil and bamboo fibers to improve the mechanical performance of bar soil, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution. The Tori-Bossito bar soil was characterised by particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, Proctor compaction tests and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR). The results show that this material is a class A2 sandy-clay soil with a CBR of 18, which is insufficient for foundation layers requiring a CBR of over 30. To improve its performance, Sèmè-Kpodji bamboo fibers, 30 to 100 microns in diameter and 3 to 5 cm long, were incorporated at rates of 0.9% to 2.7%. The optimum mix, with 2.4% fiber, has a CBR of 35, a dry density of 1.92 t/m3 and a moisture content of 12.4%. This reinforced material is suitable as a base course for low-traffic roadways.

Effects of Bamboo Fiber Length and Loading on Mechanical,Thermal and Pulverization Properties of Phenolic Foam Composites

In order to improve the mechanical properties and toughness of phenolic foams,a reinforcement method using two kinds of bamboo fibers was optimized with respect to the fiber contents.The compressive and flexural properties,thermal stability,friability and morphology of the phenolic foam composites were studied.The mechanical properties of the pristine foam and composites were evaluated by measuring the compressive strength.The results showed that the greatest mechanical properties were achieved by incorporating 2.5wt%of the reinforcement,and the compressive and flexural strengths of the two composites increased by 26.21%and 24.35%,respectively,compared with that of the pristine foam.The results of thermogravimetric testing demonstrated that the addition of bamboo fiber imparted better thermal stability to the phenolic foam,which was mainly attributed to the higher initial thermal decomposition temperature of the bamboo fiber.However,the influences of both reinforcements on the thermal stability of the material were negligible.The incorporation of bamboo fiber decreased the friability of the phenolic foam.Furthermore,the reduction in friability of the foam composites with longer lengths were higher than that in foams with shorter bamboo fibers.Moreover,the morphology and cell sizes of the fiber-reinforced phenolic foams were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy,the results indicated strong bonding between the fibers and phenolic matrix,and the incorporation of the bamboo fibers into the foam resulted in increased cell size of the material.Finally,the thermal conductivity and flame resistance of the phenolic foams reinforced by the bamboo fibers were also measured.

A Method for Determining Surface Free Energy of Bamboo Fiber Materials by Applying Fowkes Theory and Using Computer Aided Machine Vision Based Measurement Technique

The purpose of this study is to develop a standard methodology for measuring the surface free energy (SFE),and its component parts of bamboo fiber materials.The current methods was reviewed to determine the surface tension of natural fibers and the disadvantages of techniques used were discussed.Although numerous techniques have been employed to characterize surface tension of natural fibers,it seems that the credibility of results obtained may often be dubious.In this paper,critical surface tension estimates were obtained from computer aided machine vision based measurement.Data were then analyzed by the least squares method to estimate the components of SFE.SFE was estimated by least squares analysis and also by Schultz' method.By using the Fowkes method the polar and disperse fractions of the surface free energy of bamboo fiber materials can be obtained.Strictly speaking,this method is based on a combination of the knowledge of Fowkes theory. SFE is desirable when adhesion is required,and it avoids some of the limitations of existing studies which has been proposed.The calculation steps described in this research are only intended to explain the methods.The results show that the method that only determines SFE as a single parameter may be unable to differentiate adequately between bamboo fiber materials,but it is feasible and very efficient.In order to obtain the maximum performance from the computer aided machine vision based measurement instruments,this measurement should be recommended and kept available for reference.

Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers as Reinforcement for Preparation of Bamboo Pulp Based Composite Paper

Bamboo fibers(BFs),with features of renewability and biodegradability,have been widely used in paper-making products.In order to improve the mechanical properties and water absorption behaviors of the BF paper,bacterial cellulose nanofibers(BCNFs)as environmentally friendly nano-fibrillated cellulose(NFC)were combined with BFs.The structures and properties of the BF/BCNF composite paper were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transforms infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy,mechanical tests,pore size tests,and water absorption tests.The results indicated that the addition of BCNFs could significantly improve the water absorption capacity and mechanical properties.The water absorption ratio of the BF/BCNF composite paper with a BCNF mass fraction of 9%comes to 443%,about 1.33 times that of the pure BF paper.At the same BCNF content,the tensile strength of the BF/BCNF composite paper in dry and wet states was 12.37 MPa and 200.9 kPa,respectively,increasing by 98.24%and 136.91%as compared with that of the BF paper.

Adsorption of cationic copolymer nanoparticles onto bamboo fiber surfaces measured by conductometric titration

Monosized nanoparticles of 57.3 nm were prepared by cationic emulsion polymerization using a polymerizable emulsifier DMHB.The adsorption of nanoparticles onto bamboo fibers was measured by conductometric titration.The results indicated that the adsorption capacity increased with increasing contact time until 120 min.The equilibrium data for nanoparticles adsorption onto bamboo fibers were well fitted to the Langmuir equation.Moreover,the monolayer adsorption capacity of nanoparticles in the concentration range（from 0.03 g/L to 0.6 g/L） studied,as calculated from Langmuir isotherm model at 25 C,was found to be 38.61 mg/g of fibers.The SEM images showed that the nanoparticles form a uniform monolayer on bamboo fiber surfaces.

Strength Performance and Microstructure Characteristic of Naturally-Bonded Fiberboard Composite from Malaysian Bamboo(Bambusa vulgaris)

This study investigated the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of fiberboard composite produced by naturally-bonded Malaysian bamboo fiber(Bambusa vulgaris).The components that obtained through soda pulping of bamboo culms such as fiber and black liquor,were used for the preparation of high-density fibreboard composite at two target densities of 850 and 950 kg/m^(3).The bamboo fiberboard composite(BFC)were then produced at 200°C and two pressing parameters of 125 and 175 s/mm.The mechanical properties,e.g.,flexural strength and internal bonding(IB)of BFC samples were evaluated according to BS EN 310:1993 and BS EN 319:1993,respectively.It was found that the mechanical performance of the composite with 850 kg/m^(3)density was significantly higher than 950 kg/m^(3)ones,especially for the samples with 125 s/mm pressing parameter.Microstructure characteristic of the BFC samples illustrated that the fiber linkages were cracked in the composites with higher density,e.g.,the composite with the density of 950 kg/m^(3)and also black liquor were slightly degraded at longer pressing time,which led to the reduction in mechanical properties,especially in IB strength.