The Effects of Alkalization on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Bamboo-Polypropylene Composite

Abstract

In this study, bamboo polymer composites (BPC) reinforced with bamboo fibers were produced and analyzed. The effect of alkalization on the mechanical and physical properties of the composites were determined. Three levels of bamboo fiber content (10%, 20% and 30%) of alkali treated and untreated bamboo fibers were considered. Six replications of each type of test specimens were prepared and investigated under bending, tensile, water absorption and thickness swelling tests. From the results, increase in fiber content and alkali treatment of the fibers improved the mechanical properties of BPC. The value of water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) increased as the fiber content was increased and also as the fibers were treated. The value of WA and TS of the BPC with treated bamboo fibers were higher than the values for the BPC with untreated bamboo fibers.