This study examined the effect of density and layer structure on the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of strandboard manufactured from moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens). The strandboard was fabricated in a laboratory at five densities and three different structures including a randomly oriented homogenous board, a unidirectionally oriented homogenous board, and a three-layered board with a cross-oriented core layer (BOSB). Bamboo strand alignment distribution could be predicted using the von Mises distribution function. Bending properties increased with increasing density and were affected by layer structure. The modulus of rupture (MOR) of the three-layered board in the parallel direction increased remarkably compared with the random board MOR; in the perpendicular direction, it exhibited less strength reduction. Elastic properties of the three-layered board could be predicted using elastic constants of the unidirectional board. Internal bond strength (IB) was greatly affected by density, but the layer structure effect did not appear in IB. Linear expansion per unit moisture change ranged from 0.017 to 0.022 for random and three-layered boards; these values are comparable with or lower than values for commercial board.

Oil palm are among the best known and most extensively cultivated plant families, especially Indonesia and Malaysia. Many common products and foods are derived from oil palm, its making them one of the most economically important plants. On the other hand, declining supply of raw materials from natural resources has motivated researchers to find alternatives to produce new materials from sustainable resources like oil palm. Oil palm waste is possibly an ideal source for cellulose-based natural fibers and particles. Generally, oil palm waste such as oil palm empty fruit bunches, oil palm trunk, oil palm shell and oil palm ash are good source of biomaterials. Lack of sufficient documentation of existing scientific information about the utilization of oil palm waste raw materials for biomaterial production is the driving force behind the this chapter. Incorporation of various types of biomaterial derived from oil palm waste resources as reinforcement in polymer matrices lead to the development of biocomposites products and this can be used in wide range of potential applications. Properties and characterization of biomaterial from oil palm waste will not only help to promote further study on nanomaterials derived from non-wood materials but also emphasize the importance of commercially exploit oil palm waste for sustainable products.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of a bamboo-oriented strand board (BOSB) under various compression ratios. The raw material of BOSB was betung (Dendrocalamus asper) strand that steamed and followed by rinsing with a 1% NaOH solution. BOSB with the dimensions of 30 × 30 × 0.9 cm3 were manufactured with a compression ratio of five levels i.e. 1.15; 1.25; 1.35; 1.44; and 1.54. Three layers of BOSB were made with a shelling ratio of 50:50. Phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive (SC=43%) was added with 8% concentration, while paraffin was used as much as 1% of the dry weight of the oven strand. Strand geometry evaluation was carried out on 100 strands randomly. The physical and mechanical properties were evaluated according to JIS A 5908-2003. The results showed that relatively homogeny strand geometry in this research was suitable to manufacture of BOSB. Increasing in BOSB compression ratio up to 1.54 increased mechanical properties. However, the increase of the BOSB compression ratio was decreased the dimensional stability. The optimum BOSB compression ratio was 1.35.

Strandboard panels were experimentally produced from moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) using various strand lengths and layer structures to evaluate the effects of manufacturing parameters on panel properties. The strandboard was fabricated in a laboratory using diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) resin and laboratory-made strands of four lengths and four different structures. Strand alignment distributions and concentration parameter (k) values were greatly affected by strand length. A linear correlation was found between the value of k and the modulus of rupture (MOR), with coefficients of 0.81 and 0.93 for unidirectional boards and three-layer boards, respectively. This correlation may be used to predict the strength properties of boards. Bending properties were significantly affected by both the strand length and the layer structure of the bamboo strandboard tested. Elasticity data from unidirectional boards and random boards can be used to predict the elastic properties of three-layer boards. The linear expansion (LE) of the random boards increased with decreasing strand length. The difficulty in mat forming and resin distribution for longer strands could cause deviation in modulus of elasticity (MOE) and LE, especially in strand lengths around 80 mm.

The suitability of bamboo’s basic characteristics is very important for more specific purposes, such as composite raw materials. Anatomical, physical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics are some of bamboo’s fundamental characteristics. This study analyses the basic properties, such as physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of bamboo from the Forest Area with Special Purpose (FASP) Pondok Buluh Sumatera Island, Indonesia (I); analyses the relationship between the properties of each type of bamboo (II); and chooses the type of bamboo with the best properties that have the potential to be applied to composite materials, such as laminated bamboo (III). This study used materials consisting of six species of bamboo from the FASP Pondok Buluh. The manufacture of physical and mechanical test samples refers to the ISO 22157 standard, 2004, while the chemical properties test refers to the TAPPI 1999 standard. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of bamboo vary widely among species. The lowest holocellulose and α-cellulose content were found in the Kuning Bamboo (B. vulgaris var. vittata). The content of holocellulose and α-cellulose causes the lowest density in Kuning Bamboo (B. vulgaris var. vittata). The Dasar Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) has the highest levels of lignin. The substances have an impact on moisture content, T/R ratio, and shear strength. The Dasar Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) has the lowest moisture content, the highest T/R ratio, and the highest shear strength. However, Betung Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) has the highest density in this study. The compressive strength of the Betung Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) has the highest value. Therefore, Betung bamboo and Dasar Bamboo in this study were potentially utilized for composite materials, such as laminated bamboo.