Bamboo flattening technology ebables efficient and value-added utilization of bamboo in the manufacture of furniture and engineered composites

Abstract

Bamboo flattening, a novel and efficient bamboo processing and utilization technology, can effectively flatten bamboo culms into crack-free board. The technology enables the efficient and value-added utilization of bamboo in the manufacture of furniture and engineered composites. In this study, we compared the effects of three types of flattening technologies on the macro-mechanical, macro-physical, micro-morphology, and micro-mechanical properties of untreated, softened a flattened bamboo samples. As expected, the hemicellulose and cellulose concentrations of the saturated steam treated sample (18.05% and 38.9%, respectively) were less than those the untreated sample (21.3% and 40.1%, respectively). Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the notched flattening technology (NFT) inserted indents and grooves on the bamboo surface. However, the “non-notched flattening technology (NNFT)” only compressed the bamboo tissue. The flattening process increased the equilibrium moisture content and density of bamboo. The enhanced density, lignin content, and cellulose crystallinity index enhanced the bamboo cell wall properties. The non-notched-flattened bamboo board exhibited a higher cell wall modulus of elasticity and hardness (20.1 and 0.89 GPa, respectively) than the untreated bamboo samples (13.7 and 0.49 GPa, respectively). The enhanced bamboo cell wall mechanical properties of the non-notched-flattened bamboo board. Finally, we explored the practical applications, economic benefits, and limitations of the current “Non-notched bamboo flattening technology”.