Effects of Resin Content on the Characteristics of Bamboo Oriented Strand Board Prepared from Strands of Betung, Ampel, and Their Mixtures

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to evaluate bamboo-oriented strand board (BOSB) characteristics made from betung (Dendrocalamus asper), ampel (Bambusa vulgaris), and their mixtures at two different contents (3% and 5%) of methylene diphenyl di-isocyanate (MDI) adhesives. The strands were steam-treated at 126°C for 1 h under the pressure of 0.14 MPa. Three-layered BOSBs with a target density of 0.7 g/cm3 were made with the size of 30 cm x 30 cm x 0.9 cm and a shelling ratio of 1:2:1 (face:core:back layers). The physical and mechanical properties of BOSB were evaluated following JIS A 5908 (2003) standard, and the results were compared with the CSA 0437.0 Grade O-1 standard. The results show that BOSB from the mixtures of betung and ampel bamboo strands has higher dimensional stability as shown by the decrease in water absorption and thickness swelling and higher mechanical properties than single BOSB. All BOSBs with 5% resin content have higher dimensional stability, MOE, and MOR than BOSB with 3% resin content. The physical and mechanical properties of all BOSB manufactured met the CSA 0437.0 Grade O-1 standard. This study proved that BOSBs from the mixture of betung and ampel strands have the potential to be developed due to having better physical and mechanical qualities than a single BOSB. Keywords: ampel (Bambusa vulgaris), bamboo oriented strand board, betung (Dendrocalamus asper), resin content, strand mixtures