Pro Ligno (Sep 2015)
STRENGTH AND SORPTION PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO (Bambusa vulgaris) WOOD-PLASTIC COMPOSITES
Abstract
The study investigated the strength and water sorption properties of plastic composites produced from the sawdust of bamboo and recycled Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). Three levels of board density (500kg/m3 , 600kg/m3 and 700kg/m3 ) and three levels of plastic/fibre mixing ratio (1:1, 2:1 and 3:1) were adopted. The thickness swelling (TS), water absorption (WA), tensile strength, modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were investigated. The sorption properties were measured after 24hour water-soak test exposure. The mean values of the properties ranged from 4.15% to 1.40% for thickness swelling; 31.96% to 4.83% for water absorption; and 2.55Mpa to 6.98Mpa, 5564.11Mpa to 10771.65Mpa and 0.60Mpa to 4.29Mpa for tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture respectively. The result revealed that as the plastic/fibre mixing ratio and board density increased the tensile strength, MOE and MOR increased, while TS and WA decreased. Strength properties of composites boards produced with the higher production variables had higher strength properties and decreased sorption assessment. Bamboo particles are suitable for the manufacturing of Wood Plastic Composites (WPC) using LDPE
