ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO FIBRE REINFORCED BIO-COMPOSITES

Abstract

This research is based on studies of themechanical properties of bamboo fibre-reinforced
polyethylene bio-composite. The extraction of bamboo fibre was carried out using a
mechanical shredder. Some part of the fibre was treated and milled. The constituent materials
were mixed in three different proportions of 80/20, 70/30 and 60/40 HDPE/bamboo fibre with
respect to the volume for both treated and untreated fibres. The bio-composite samples were
compounded with the aid of a two-roll milling machine at a temperature of 230 ºC for 10 min.
The bio-composites were fabricated using the compression moulding technique. The tensile
and flexural properties of the bio-composites were evaluated. The results showed that bio
composites fabricated with treated filler have improved mechanical properties (tensile strength
and percentage elongation are 23.9, 12.9, 11.9 and 24, 14 and 12 respectively), as compared to
those that were loaded with untreated filler (the tensile strength and percentage elongation are
19.4, 14.6, 7.1 and 18, 18 and 6 respectively). On the other hand, surface modification of
bamboo fibre had a negative impact on the flexural properties of the bio-composites. Thus,
untreated filler showed better flexural properties on the bio-composites than the treated.