Mechanical properties of bamboo fiber-polyester composites

Experimental investigations were performed to characterize the mechanical properties of bamboo fiber-polyester composites. The composite laminates were fabricated by infusing different forms of untreated bamboo fibers (randomly oriented, bamboo textiles and bamboo foam cores) with polyester resin. The results showed that the engineered bamboo fiber composites have strength and stiffness properties suitable for structural applications. Among the tested composites, the laminates with randomly oriented bamboo fibers exhibited the highest strength properties. Its strength in flexure, tension, compression, and shear are 58, 35, 48, and 32 MPa, respectively and its Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) is 3.2GPa. However, only the tensile strength and MOE showed better properties to that of neat polyester resin which are 15% and 4% higher, re-spectively possibly due to relatively poor load transfer between the fibers and the matrix. Importantly, the flexural strength of the bamboo fiber-polyester composites is 200% and 30% higher than the standard particleboard and medium density fiberboard, respectively used in the construction industry. It is expected that the results of this preliminary study will provide information to support the development and application of this new generation composites in housing and construction