Enhancing the properties of damar (Agathis loranthifolia Salisb.) wood by making hybrid bamboo-wood composite

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the characteristics of laminated bamboo and damar (Agathis loranthifolia Salisb.) wood as the core layer of the bamboo-damar hybrid composite beam. Andong bamboo (Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea (Steud.) Widjaja) and mayan bamboo (Gigantochloa robusta Kurz.) were used as the face and back layers of the beam, glued with isocyanate adhesive. Four types of composite beam were produced with various number of laminated bamboo layers. Results showed that the four layers (two layers for each face and back sides) laminated andong bamboo performed superior mechanical properties than others hybrid composite beam, while the four layers (two layers for each face and back sides) laminated mayan bamboo demonstrated the highest compression and bonding strength. The density, MOR, MOE and compression strength of the hybrid composite beam improved 31.3%, 25.95%, 37.81% and 25.12%, respectively, as the outcomes of the incorporation of laminated andong bamboo on the outer layers of the damar board. This paper proves that the number of laminated bamboo layers enhances the properties of the bamboo-damar hybrid composite beam. Furthermore, it shows promising result for complementing furniture and interior design materials as the bamboo-damar hybrid composite beam has remarkable properties.