The relationship between the bamboo fibre microstructure and mechanical properties

Thanks to their good mechanical properties and low density, bamboo fibres represent one of the most favourable natural fibres. In fact, specific mechanical properties of bamboo fibres are comparable to those of glass fibres. Guadua angustifolia is the most important giant bamboo species of South America. Their potential is being studied within the framework of the “Development of Bamboo fibre composites" project. Bamboo fibre mechanical properties have been studied showing values of strength up to 800 MPa and E-Modulus up to 40 GPa, proving their excellent tensile properties. Therefore, we focus on making this fibre suitable as reinforcement in composite materials. To achieve this goal, the exploration and study of the morphology and microstructure of both the elementary and technical fibre forms part of the essential understanding of their performance both under tensile stress and as reinforcement in a polymeric matrix.status: publishe