The fatigue and fracture properties of bamboo fiber composites made of woven layers were investigated. This study utilized a specific type of bamboo species named Gigantochloa scortechinii (Buluh Semantan). In these experiments, unsaturated polyester (UP) and bamboo fiber (BF) strips were prepared through a hand lay-up technique using 3-mm thick aluminum mould. The composite bamboo strips had a thickness of 1.5 mm. The strips were woven together to make a single layer. The layer was then laminated into several thicknesses. The specimens were then characterized using fatigue and fracture tests. A fatigue limit of 30 MPa and fracture toughness of 5 to 8 MPa √ were obtained. These findings suggest that the bamboo strips, based on unsaturated polyester, provided relatively good fatigue and fracture properties and a good method of reinforcing fibers to combat fatigue and fracture failures.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the fracture properties of hybrid woven bamboo (WB)/woven e-glass (EG) fiber composites with various layer arrangements. This paper utilized a specific type of bamboo species named Gigantochloa Scortechinii (Buluh Semantan).
Design/methodology/approach
In these experiments, unsaturated polyester, woven EG and WB fibers were prepared through the hand lay-up technique. The composite bamboo strips were prepared in 1.5 mm thickness. The strips are woven to make a single layer. The layer was then laminated into several thicknesses. The specimens were then characterized using compact tension fracture tests.
Findings
The fracture toughness of 12–14 MPa was obtained. These findings suggest that this hybrid bamboo composite provides superior fracture strength that is equivalent with steel alloy and is extremely a good alternative for reinforcing fibers to combat fracture failures of materials and structures.
Originality/value
In this paper, experimental determination of newly developed composite made of WB and woven EG is presented.
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