Effect of Surface Modification on Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Composites Made by VaRTM

Abstract

In this study, bamboo fiber reinforced composites were prepared by using VaRTM (Vacuum assisted Resin Transfer Molding) method. Several chemical treatments for bamboo fibers were applied to improve the interfacial adhesion between fiber and resin. Bamboo fiber surface was modified by chemical processing; namely alkali treatment and bleaching treatment. As a result of increased resin bonding area, the interfacial adhesion seems to be increased. In addition, the surface impurities which might act as defects have been removed after the chemical processing. We found that, compared to composites of untreated bamboo fiber, the strength of composites reinforced by alkali-treated bamboo fiber increased by 35.3%, that of bleaching-treated bamboo fiber was 37.9%, and that of composites subjected to both surface treatments was increased by 36.9%. According to FTIR results, the disappearance of peaks assigned to lignin in the treated fiber is believed to be due to the removal of lignin after the chemical treatments. It was also found that lignin can be removed by chemical processing.