Strength of Untreated and Alkali-treated Bamboo Fibers and Reinforcing Effects for Short Fiber Composites

Polymer composites have been used in consumer products during our daily lives. The applications of green composites become important for reducing petroleum consumption and enhancing environmental protection. The purpose of this study was to study the tensile property of three kinds of single bamboo fibers by two extracting methods and investigate their effect on short bamboo fiber reinforced poly-lactic acid (PLA) composites. The two extracting methods as mechanical method and alkaline method were used to derive bamboo fibers. The tensile strength of the bamboo fiber extracted from three naturally grown bamboos in Taiwan was measured and compared. The extracted bamboo fibers were compounded with PLA and used as the materials in injection molded green composite. For the three kinds of bamboos, the mechanically extracted bamboo fiber showed higher tensile strength in the form of a single fiber. However, the alkali treated bamboo fibers showed better reinforcing effect in the short bamboo fiber/PLA composite.