Interfacial shear strength characterisation of alkali treated bamboo bundle – polyester composites using an improved technique. (26th November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khoo, S.J.; Johar, M.; Low, K.O.; Wong, K.J.
• Is Part Of: Plastics, rubber, and composites. Volume 46:Number 10(2017)
• Page Start: 450
• Page End: 457
• Publication Date: 2017-11-26
• Subjects: Bamboo bundle -- polyester -- pull-out -- alkali treatment -- interfacial shear strength -- scanning electron micrographs; Plastics -- Periodicals; Rubber -- Periodicals; Polymeric composites -- Periodicals; Polymer engineering -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1080/14658011.2017.1391965
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-8011

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study examined the influences of alkali concentration on the interfacial characteristics of bamboo–polyester. Pull-out tests were carried out using a newly designed jig to minimise the fibre breakage during clamping. Bamboo bundles were embedded at 3, 5, 7 and 10 mm and alkali concentrations ranged from 0, 1, 3, 5 to 7 wt-%. The attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra revealed hemicelluloses was observed at ∼1030 cm −1 . The pull-out results showed that interfacial characteristics were not influenced by the embedded length. Furthermore, the highest apparent interfacial shear strength was attained at 3 wt-% concentration, with approximately three times higher compared to the untreated one. A comparison with data from the literature showed that both untreated and treated bamboo/polyester composites have the weakest interfacial bonding. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that alkali treatment has resulted in interface enhancement through chemical modification, mechanical interlocking and frictional contact.