This paper describes the mechanical properties of the composite materials produced using long bamboo fiber and bamboo powder. Bamboo fiber and powder can be hot press-molded much like plastic materials, and the use of these materials in place of plastic products would reduce the environmental impact of extensive plastic use. In this study, the tensile and flexural properties of molded uni-directional long fiber reinforced composites made from bamboo fiber bundles and Bamboo powder were examined. The results showed that the tensile and flexural strength of bamboo fiber/powder composites were increased with increasing fiber content. On the other side, both strengths of composite were decreased with increasing molding temperature after 180
℃. The highest tensile and flexural strengths of the bamboo fiber reinforced bamboo powder composites specimens which were tested were recorded at 169.9 MPa and 221.1 MPa, respectively.
Plastic materials have accepted the important role in growth of modern society and they are massively used in broad fields; electronic products such as a copy machine and a printer, stationery goods such as automatic pencil and a clear file, a housing and interior of a vehicle such as a car and ship and much more. However, the great majority of plastic products are disposed into landfills after usage. In addition, global warming by increase of carbon dioxide poses a problem. Needless to say, this process is the easiest way and has high environmental loads. For these reasons, it is important to develop the charge of an alternate material of a plastics made of petroleum.
In order to reduce the environmental loads derived from the disposing of used plastic products, much more attention has been placed on the biodegradable plastic [1] [2] . This plastic can be perfectly resolved into water and carbon dioxide by the action of the microbes, as it is disposed in underground, and moreover there is no emission of the toxic gas in combusting. Recently, the biodegradable plastics have been applied to the commercial products such as the clear file ballpoint pens, garbage bags, tee of golf, fishing lines, wrapping paper and much more. Besides, recent studies have investigated the development of biodegradable composite materials using natural fibers such as flax [3] , palm [3] , pineapple [4] , jute [5] , kenaf [6] , ramie [7] and hemp [8] as the reinforcement for biodegradable plastics. These studies have examined molding conditions, mechanical properties.
In the meantime, the bamboo was once one of the biomass resources grown in Japan. The bamboo has the characteristic feature that growth speed is quick, as compared with wood and it is used as part of daily life such as bamboo shoots for food and stalks for building materials. However, bamboo forests have fallen into ruin because of the import of inexpensive bamboo shoots and the appearance of plastic products. The present study investigated whether bamboo can be effectively used to replace plastic materials. The press-molded products were fabricated from bamboo powder, and the tensile strength, flexural strength and hardness of the resultant products were examined [9] [10] .
The purpose of this research is to make the press-molded bamboo powder into still higher strength by using long bamboo fiber bundles. The uni-directional long bamboo fiber reinforced bamboo powder composites were fabricated from bamboo fiber bundle and bamboo powder, and the tensile and flexural properties of the resultant products were examined. These measured properties were subsequently compared to the mechanical properties of general plastic materials.
2. Experimental Procedures2.1. Materials
In this research, bamboo powder and bamboo fiber bundle were used as matrix and reinforcement, respectively. Bamboo powder (Miki Takezaiten, Japan) of particle diameter of 50 - 150 μm and bamboo fiber bundle (Ban, Japan) which have diameter of 100 - 300 μm and length of 100 mm for flexural specimen and 200 mm for tensile specimen were used. Bamboo powder was prepared machining a bamboo trunk. Bamboo fiber bundle was taken out by steam explosion method. Steam explosion is the method when the water contains in bamboo is heated under high temperature and pressure, then bamboo is rapidly released to the atmosphere, so that the water evaporate into steam, result of parenchyma inside the bamboo shattered. Figure 1 and Figure 2 show photographs of bamboo powder and fibers used in this research, respectively.
2.2. Molding Method of Bamboo Fiber/Bamboo Powder Composites
The rate of bamboo fiber content is 0%, 50% and 100%. Molding temperature is 160˚C, 180˚C and 200˚C. Table 1 was showed molding conditions in this research. The specimens were fabricated using a hot press machine and a metallic mold. Specifically, test specimens were made under varying conditions, the bamboo fiber and powder was added to the metallic mold and held at temperatures 160˚C, 180˚C and 200˚C pressed at 65 MPa. The dimensions of bamboo fiber/bamboo powder copomosite specimens are 10 mm × 200 mm × 1 mm for tensile test specimen and 15 mm × 100 mm × 3 mm for flexural test specimen. Figure 2 and Figure 3 show shape
Photographs of Bamboo. (a) powder and (b) fiber
Shape and dimensions of tensile specimen (l = 200 mm, l<sub>0</sub> = 50 mm, l<sub>1</sub> = 70 mm, l<sub>2</sub> = 65, b = 10 mm, h<sub>0</sub> = 1 mm, h = 3 mm)
Shape and dimensions of flexural specimen (l = 100 mm, b = 15 mm, h = 3 mm)
Molding conditions in this research
Molding temperature (˚C)
Bamboo powder (%)
Bamboo powder (%)
160
100
0
50
50
0
100
180
100
0
50
50
0
100
200
100
0
50
50
0
100
and dimensions of tensile and flexural specimen, respectively.
2.3. Method of Mechanical Testing
Tensile tests and three-point flexural tests were conducted using a testing machine (SIMADZU Model AG-250 kNE), following JIS K7161 and JIS K7171, respectively. Tensile tests were performed at a strain rate of 1mm/min and a gauge length of 50 mm. Flexural tests were performed at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min and a span length of 48 mm. Five specimens were prepared and analyzed. A 95% confidence interval was calculated by statistical analysis.
3. Results and Discussions3.1. Observation of Press Molded Products
Photographs of the fabricated press molded products using bamboo powder (fiber content 0%) are shown in Figure 4, with specimens molded at 160˚C, 180˚C and 200˚C shown in Figures 4(a)-(c), respectively. As seen
Photographs of surface of specimens (powder 100%). a) 160˚C; b) 180˚C and c) 200˚C
in these figures, the color of the specimen molded at 160˚C is pale yellow; however, the color darkened with rising molding temperature is the specimen exhibits a strong brown color at 200˚C. These results suggest that specimens browned on account of carbonization between 180˚C and 200˚C.
Photographs of the fabricated press molded composites using bamboo fiber of 50% and powder of 50% are shown in Figure 5, with specimens molded at 160˚C, 180˚C and 200˚C shown in Figures 5(a)-(c), respectively. As seen in these figures, the color powder and fibers of the specimen molded at 160˚C is pale yellow and brown; however, the color of powder darkened with rising molding temperature is the specimen exhibits a strong brown color at 200˚C. These results suggest that specimens browned on account of carbonization between 180˚C and 200˚C. As shown in these figures, at 160˚C, the fiber bundle and the parenchyma cell are clearly divided. On the other hand, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish the interface between the fiber bundle and the parenchyma cell with rising molding temperature. At 200˚C, all aspects become almost a uniform brown, making the interface between the fiber bundle and the parenchyma cell indistinguishable.
Photographs of the fabricated press molded products using bamboo fiber (fiber content 100%) are shown in Figure 6, with specimens molded at 160˚C, 180˚C and 200˚C shown in Figures 6(a)-(c), respectively. The color of the fiber only specimen at 160˚C is already darkness. Color of bamboo fiber changed by steam explosion as shown in Figure 1(b)).
The relationship between the density of the composites and molding temperature is shown in Figure 7, and shows that the density of specimens the almost same value increased with rising molding temperature. The value indicated 1.39 to 1.42 g/cm3.
3.2. Flexural Strength of Composites
Figure 8 shows the relationship between flexural strength and fiber content. From this figure, flexural strengths of each molding temperature increase linearly with increasing fiber content. Beside, the result of molding temperature at 200˚C differs from other results. In the case of powder 100%, adhesion will become strong increasing molding temperature indicates high value. However, strength of it selves of fiber decreased. Unidirectional bamboo fiber/bamboo powder composites fabricated with fiber content of 100% and molding temperature at 180˚C have high flexural strength of 221.3 MPa.
Figure 9 shows the relationship between flexural strength and molding temperature. From this figure, in the case of composites of fiber content of 50% and 100%, flexural strength is approximately equal to molding temperature at 160˚C and 180˚C. However, strength decreased with increasing molding temperature in the case of 200˚C. The strength of the mold product decreased because strength of fiber in itself decreased as same as tensile strength. On the one hand, flexural strength fabricated using powder of 100% increase with rising molding temperature. It is considered that as a result of the increased powder bonding with rising molding temperature, the strength of the molded products increased.
Figures 10-12 show fracture behavior after flexural testing. Figure 10 shows specimen of all powder. The figure shows that the fracture of specimen is observable by all products.
Figure 11 and Figure 12 show specimen of fiber content of 50% and 100%, respectively. These figures show that the fracture of fibers is observable by all specimens. However, in the case of the specimen molded at 160˚C (Figure 11(a)), adds to the fracture of fibers, delamination can be seen between the fiber bundle and the parenchyma cell, and bonding between the fiber bundle and the parenchyma cell is poor.
In the case of specimens molded at 180˚C and 200˚C, they explained that this cause was due to internal voids and low shearing stress between fiber and powder. However, from Figure 9, flexural strength decreased with increasing molding temperature, the strength of the mold product decreased because strength of fiber in itself decreased [11] .
Photographs of surface of specimens (fiber 50%). a) 160˚C; b) 180˚C and c) 200˚C
Photographs of surface of specimens (fiber 100%). a) 160˚C; b) 180˚C and c) 200˚C
Relationship between density and molding temperature
Relationship between flexural strength and fiber content
Relationship between flexural strength and molding temperature
Figure 13 shows the relationship between flexural modulus and fiber content. From this figure, flexural modulus increases linearly with increasing fiber content. Unidirectional bamboo fiber/bamboo powder composites fabricated with fiber content of 100% and molding temperature at 180˚C have high flexural modulus of 32.9 GPa.
3.3. Tensile Strength of Composites
Figure 14 shows the relationship between tensile strength and fiber content. From this figure, tensile strengths increase with increasing fiber content. The tensile strengths were 169.9 MPa, in the samples with a fiber fraction of 100%. Figure 15 shows the relationship between tensile strength and molding temperature. In the case of specimen of fiber content of 100%, tensile strength decreased with increasing molding temperature. This was expected as it was known from an earlier study that the strength of natural fiber decreases at temperatures above 180˚C [12] . Therefore, it is thought that the strength of the molded specimens created from fiber bundles decreased at 200˚C. On the other side, in the case of fiber content of 0% and 50%, tensile strength increased with
Fracture behavior after flexural test (powder 100% molding temperature). a) 160˚C; b) 180˚C and c) 200˚C)
Fracture behavior after flexural test (fiber 50% molding temperature. a) 160˚C; b) 180˚C and c) 200˚C)
Fracture behavior after flexural test (fiber 100% molding temperature. a) 160˚C; b) 180˚C and c) 200˚C)
Relationship between flexural modus and fiber content
molding temperature. It is considered that it is because the adhesive strength of powder improved as this reason.
Figures 16-18 show fracture behavior after tensile testing. The figure shows that the fracture of fibers is observable by all specimens. However, in the case of the specimen molded at 160˚C, adds to the fracture of fibers, the pull out of fibers be able to observe at the part. In the case of specimens molded at 180˚C and 200˚C, the fi- ber bundle and the powder mixed homogeneously. However, from Figure 15, tensile strength decreased with increasing molding temperature, the strength of the mold product decreased because strength of fiber in itself decreased [11] .
Figure 18 shows the relationship between tensile modulus and fiber content. From this figure, tensile modulus increases linearly with increasing fiber content. Unidirectional bamboo fiber/bamboo powder composites fabricated with fiber content of 100% and molding temperature at 160˚C have high tensile modulus of 30.2 GPa.
Relationship between tensile strength and fiber content
Relationship between tensile strength and fiber content
Fracture behavior after tensile test (fiber 50% molding temperature a) 160˚C; b) 180˚C and c) 200˚C)
Fracture behavior after tensile test (fiber 100% molding temperature. a) 160˚C; b) 180˚C and c) 200˚C)
3.4. Comparison with General Plastics
Table 2 shows mechanical properties of general plastic materials. The density of bamboo composite indicated same as value of POM (polyacetal).
The tensile and flexural strength of common plastic materials, PE (polyehylene) is 8 - 23 MPa. Measurements of the press molded product of powder 100% indicated strengths nearly identical to that of polyethylene. Measurements of composite of 50% fibers indicated a tensile strength nearly identical to that of PP (polypropylene), and a flexural strength indicated same as strength of POM. The tensile and flexural strengths of the specimen of the fiber of 100% fabricated at 160˚C exceeded the tensile and flexural strengths of POM. Based on these results, it is consider possible that bamboo fiber/powder composites could substitute effectively for conventional plastic products.
4. Conclusion
In this study, press-molded specimens consisting of uni-directional long bamboo fiber/bamboo powder compostoes was fabricated and examined for their density, tensile and flexural strengths. Obtained results are summa- rized as follows:
Relationship between tensile modules and fiber content
Mechanical properties of general plastic materials and bamboo fiber/bamboo powder composites [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.52057-ref13">13</xref>]
Density
Tensile strength
Flexural strength
(g/cm3)
(MPa)
(MPa)
PE
0.94
8 - 23
34 - 39
PP
0.9
21 - 37
42 - 56
PC
1.2
56 - 67
67 - 96
POM
1.41
62 - 70
100 - 110
Powder 100% 160˚C
1.4
1.7
31.3
Powder 100% 180˚C
1.4
8.9
40.1
Powder 100% 200˚C
1.4
14.3
79.8
50% - 50% 160˚C
1.3
23.5
119.7
50% - 50% 180˚C
1.3
29.4
140.1
50% - 50% 200˚C
1.3
33
106.5
Fiber 100% 160˚C
1.3
169.9
211.1
Fiber 100% 180˚C
1.4
84.5
221.3
Fiber 100% 180˚C
1.4
23.1
130.1
1. The density of the press-molded product indicated the almost same value increased with rising molding temperature. Density of composites indicated about 1.4 g/cm3. This value is numerical value compared as polyacetal.
2. Tensile and flexural strengths increase linearly with increasing fiber content. In the case of fiber of 100% molded at 160˚C, the tensile and flexural strengths were 169.9 MPa and 211.1 MPa, respectively.
3. The tensile and flexural strengths of specimens increased with rising fiber content. The strength of all powder specimens increased with rising molding temperature. Otherwise, the strength of 50% and 100% fiber decreased with rising molding temperature.
4. The tensile and flexural strengths exceeded the general-purpose engineering plastics such as polyacetal.
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