Assessment of properties of juvenile and matured bambusa vulgaris and its potential utilization as engineering composite material

Abstract

This study compared the chemical, anatomical, and physical properties of juvenile and matured Bambusa vulgaris culms and its potential utilization for engineering composite product. It also assessed the physical, mechanical and durability properties of laminated Bambusa vulgaris culm of two-year (Juvenile Bambusa vulgaris) and four-year (Mature Bambusa vulgaris) old. Culms were harvested and prepared to the length of twenty-one internodes. The first seven internodes were taken as bottom and the second seven internodes were also taken as middle whiles the third seven internodes were taken as the top. The study focused on the bottom and top portions. EN 13183-1, ISO 13061-2, BS 373 and TAPPI standard methods were used in determining the physical, chemical and anatomical properties of the mature and juvenile bamboo as well as the bamboo laminates. The study showed that, mature Bambusa vulgaris basic density ranged from 660.50kg/m3 – 691.80kg/m3 and that of juvenile Bambusa vulgaris density ranged from 383.53kg/m3 – 562.26kg/m3. The main chemical composition of juvenile Bambusa vulgaris was as follows: Cellulose = 48.62%; hemicellulose = 51.39% and lignin = 22.98%. That of the mature Bambusa vulgaris was Cellulose = 55.93%; hemicellulose = 44.08% and lignin = 29.11%. The vascular bundle arrangement for juvenile and mature Bambusa vulgaris was in both Type III and Type IV respectively. The mechanical properties of juvenile laminated bamboo were MOE = 587.7MPa; MOR = 43.42MPa and compressive strength = 37.58MPa whilst mature laminated bamboo was MOE = 13379MPa; MOR = 82.48MPa and compressive strength = 62.78MPa. Additionally, both treated juvenile and mature laminated bamboo were classified as resistant to fungi attack. It is recommended that mature Bambusa vulgaris is suitable to be used as engineered composite material.