The effect of densification on bamboo fiber and bamboo fiber composites

This research aims to study the effects on mechanical properties of bamboo fiber and the bamboo fiber composites after fiber densification. Bamboo fibers were extracted mechanically and manually from Makino bamboo slices, and subjected to alkali treatment. Densification of the bamboo fibers in different sizes was conducted under different compression pressures and temperatures, and the properties after densification were measured. The density of the bamboo fiber increased after densification and was used as the measure for the densification degree. The temperature and pressure will enhance the densification degree. The moisture content in the fiber was also found to have a great effect on densification. Tensile and relaxation tests of the bamboo fibers were conducted. After densification process, the tensile strength and relaxation time of the bamboo fiber will increase. The tensile strength and flexural strength of the composites with densified bamboo fibers will increase as compared to the composites with original bamboo fibers.