Treatment of Bamboo Fibres in Improving Mechanical Performance of Polymer Composites - A Review

The hydrophilic character is a major concern in the development of natural fibre reinforced-polymer composites. As hydrophilic material which easily absorbs water, the water content inside bamboo fibres should be carefully controlled to produce bamboo composite possessing acceptable mechanical properties. The bamboo fibres provide a reservoir of water which diffuses into the interfacial region of epoxy matrix. Different hydrophilicity between bamboo fibres and the polymer matrix affects the fibre matrix adhesion which in turn influences the physical and mechanical performances of the composites. This article provides a short review on the current progress of bamboo-based polymer composite development. Further this present review discusses several treatments for bamboo fibres in order to improve the fibre-matrix adhesion and the effects on the moisture sensitivity mechanical performance of resulted composites. Those treatments aim not only to change the hydrophilic character of bamboo fibre but also to bring about the hydrophobic properties to the fibres. It is expected that the potential of bamboo material could be fully exploited as an alternative natural fibre reinforced material for polymer-based composites in wider application.