Mechanical Properties of Bambusa Oldhamii and Yushania-Alpina Bamboo Fibres Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

The current studies aim to measure the mechanical strength based on age, harvesting season and bamboo species in Ethiopia. The bamboo fibres are extracted using a roll milling machine, which was developed by the author. The age groups (1, 2 and 3 years), harvesting months (February and November), and bamboo species (Yushania alpina and Bambusa oldhamii) are the parameters of the current research studies. Prepregs and composites were produced from bamboo fibres and polypropylene. The mechanical properties of bamboo fibres and their composites in Ethiopia have not been investigated by researchers for the composite application so far. The tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and impact strength of injibara (Y. alpina) bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites from the ages of 1– 3 years old in November is 111 ± 9–125 ± 8 MPa, 15 ± 0.9–25 ± 0.72 GPa, and 47 ± 5 KJ/m2–57 ± 6 KJ/m2, whereas, in February, it is 86 ± 3.86–116 ± 10 MPa, 11 ± 0.71–23 ± 1.5 GPa, and 34 ± 4–52 ± 6 KJ/m2, respectively. Moreover, Kombolcha (B. oldhamii), bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites in November are 93 ± 7–111 ± 8 MPa, 7 ± 0.51–17 ± 2.56 GPa, and 39 ± 4–44 ± 5 KJ/m2, whereas, in February, it is 60 ± 5–104 ± 10 MPa, 12 ± 0.95–14 ± 0.92 GPa, and 26 ± 3 KJ/m2–38 ± 4 KJ/m2, respectively. Furthermore, Mekaneselam (Y. alpina) bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites in November are 99 ± 8–120 ± 11 MPa, 9 ± 0.82–16 ± 1.85 GPa, and 37 ± 4 KJ/m2–46 ± 5 KJ/m2, whereas, in February, it is 91 ± 8–110 ± 9 MPa, 8 ± 0.75–14 ± 1.86 GPa, and 34 ± 3 KJ/m2–40 ± 4 KJ/m2, respectively. At two years, November and Injibara bamboo have recorded the highest mechanical properties in the current research studies. Bamboo fiber strength in Ethiopia is comparable to the previous study of bamboo fibres and glass fibres used for composite materials in the automotive industry.

Performance of Bamboo Fibre on Modifying Mechanical Properties of Concrete

“…Nevertheless, a similar trend of strength decrement was experienced when 0.5 -1% of BF is added in concrete [2][3][4]6,7,9,[25][26][27]. The research found that similar agreement with previous literature [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] is observed when the strength of concrete drops at 1.25% fiber content due to poor bonding between the cement matrix and aggregate. This study presents significant information on the ability of BF as a concrete strength enhancer which subsequently converts the abundance of natural waste by converting the waste to application of production of noble green and sustainable concrete material.…”

“…It is noted that there is a slight increment of f ct when the concrete is added with 0.5% BF i.e., 2.19 N/mm 2 . A similar trend of strength decrement was experienced when more BF was added in concrete [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]. The lowest was 1.85 N/mm 2 for samples with the addition of 1.25% BF.…”

“…In addition, numerous researchers proved that bamboo as an alternative to steel as a reinforcement in providing high tensile strength and bond strength [6,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Meanwhile, bamboo Fibres (BF) have recorded remarkable achievements as reinforcing materials in various applications, such as concrete [23][24][25][26][27][28], mortars [29][30], asphalt [31,32], and recycled plastic composites [33][34][35]. Most of the studies reported similar agreement that the addition of BF has significantly improved the mechanical properties (i.e., tensile, compressive, and flexural strength) and cracking resistance of the hybrid composites.…”

“…Most of the studies reported similar agreement that the addition of BF has significantly improved the mechanical properties (i.e., tensile, compressive, and flexural strength) and cracking resistance of the hybrid composites. The literature concludes that the maximum strength of bamboo-reinforced composites can be achieved after 28 days of curing with varying optimum addition percentages of BF, which range from 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of cement [23][24][25][26][27][28][30][31][32][33][34][35].…”

Reinforced Polymer Composites III

“…In the study by Dessalegn et al [14], polypropylene-based composites reinforced with bamboo fibers were prepared via hot pressing. Fibers produced from various varieties and plant regions of bamboo were compared.…”