Polyurethane (PU) foams reinforced with bamboo fiber sources in China, i.e., bamboo fiber, bamboo α-cellulose fiber, and bamboo nanocellulose fiber, were prepared and their physico-mechanical properties were analyzed in this work. The bamboo fiber sources and PU foams were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and universal compression testing. The results indicated that the hydroxyl groups on the fiber surfaces were enhanced by removing non-celluloses in the preparation of α-cellulose and nanocellulose. With the addition of small particle size α-cellulose and nanocellulose, the cell sizes of PU foams were reduced due to more nucleating agents being introduced. The FTIR spectra confirmed that the bamboo fiber sources were involved in the foaming reaction. The PU foams with bamboo fiber sources had a higher thermal stability than neat foam, and they were satisfactory enough to be used as insulation. PU foams reinforced with 5% bamboo fiber, 3% α-cellulose fiber and 3% nanocellulose fiber had better physico-mechanical performance than other foams. The reinforcement performance of 3% bamboo α-cellulose fiber on PU foam was comparable with that of high-cost nanocellulose. Accordingly, bamboo α-cellulose fiber was demonstrated to be a promising candidate to reinforce PU foam, which could be used in the reinforcement of foam insulation.
The lacquerware of Liangshan Yi nationality was created by the Yi in their daily life. It has great varieties, exquisite productions and a very long history as the most representative handicraft in Yi region. The traditional manufacturing processes including body making and lacquering craft processes as well as the coming crisis of Yi lacquerware were analyzed in this work, in order to provide reference for the development and inheritance of the traditional lacquerware craft of Liangshan Yi Nationality.
Bamboo scrimbers (BCs) with excellent performances were made from Bambusa rigida (2 to 5 years old). It was found that BCs made from 3-year-old bamboo have the smallest thickness swelling (TS) and width swelling (WS). BCs prepared from 4-year-old bamboo has the maximum compressive strength (CS) and horizontal shear strength (HSS). The maximum modulus of rapture (MOR) and modulus of elastic (MOE) of BCs were observed in BCs made from bamboo with age of 5 years. Overall, the resin dosage of 11% was optimized to fabricate BCs with different maturing bamboo culms; 4-year-old bamboos were recommended to be used as the raw material for the production of BCs.
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