Shear Strength and Microscopic Characterization of a Bamboo Bonding Interface with Phenol Formaldehyde Resins Modified with Larch Thanaka and Urea
The aim of this study was to understand the microscopic characteristics of the bamboo bonding interface with phenol formaldehyde resin modified with larch thanaka and urea (PTUF) and its effect on the shear strength of two-ply bamboo laminated lumber. Bleached and carbonized bamboo strips were used, and two assembly patterns (outer-to-outer and inner-to-inner) were adopted to make two-ply bamboo laminated lumber with PTUF. The microstructure of the bonding interface and the bond-line thickness were investigated using a scanning electron microscope. The average depth and effective depth of PTUF on bamboo surfaces were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy characterization. The shear strength of two-ply bamboo laminated lumber was also examined. The results revealed a shallow depth of penetration of PTUF into the bamboo surface that was distributed primarily in the broken cell cavities formed during preparation, as well as between the cell walls. When the assembly pattern was inner-to-inner, the depth of penetration and bond-line thickness were higher, but the shear strength was lower than that of the outer-to-outer pattern. The carbonized bamboo laminated lumber provided a greater resin penetration and bond-line thickness, but lower shear strength, than the bleached bamboo laminated lumber.
Microscopic Characterization of Modified Phenol-Formaldehyde Resin Penetration of Bamboo Surfaces and its Effect on Some Properties of Two-Ply Bamboo Bonding Interface
The bonding interface between bamboo elements and adhesives is presumed to be significantly influenced by the degree of adhesive penetration into the porous network of interconnected cells of bamboo surfaces. In the study presented here, the average depth and effective depth of phenol-formaldehyde resin (PF) modified by different contents of lower-molecular weight (LMW) PF on bamboo surface were evaluated, making use of fluorescent microscopy characterization. The shear distribution at the bonding interface was measured by means of electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI), along with tensile strength measurements, to determine the shear strain distribution on a macroscopic scale. This research combined macroscopic mechanical properties with microscopic interfacial mechanical properties, and it was found that PF modified with 10% LMW PF performed better than other modified PF. Moreover, it was assumed that the results of this study would influence the choice of bamboo-specific adhesives under different strain conditions.
Effect of curing time on physical and mechanical properties of phenolic-treated bamboo strips
Abstract Effect of pressing time on physical and mechanical properties of phenolic-impregnated bamboo strips was evaluated. Bamboo strips (Gigantochloa scortechinii) were impregnated with low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (LMwPF) resin. Samples were submerged in LMwPF resin using a vacuum chamber of 750 mmHg for 1 h before it was released within 1.5 h. Treated strips were dried in an oven with a temperature of 60 °C within 6–9 h. It was hot pressed at 14 kg m−2 and a temperature of 140 °C for 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17 min. The physical and mechanical properties of the test indicated that the properties of phenolic-treated strips have significantly increased as compared to control samples. Dimensional stability (water absorption, thickness swelling and linear expansion) of the phenolic-treated properties were significantly lower than control after 5-min pressing time. The antishrink efficiency (ASE) of phenolic-treated strips increased when pressing time were extended from 5 to 17 min. The mean value of modulus of rupture (MOR) for the control samples (177 N mm−2) showed a significant difference with phenolic-treated strips after 17-min pressing time (224 N mm−2). However, there is no significant difference in compression parallel to grain. The MOE of phenolic-treated strips was 21,777 N mm−2 and for control was 18,249 N mm−2, whereas the compression parallel to grain values for phenolic-treated and control samples were 94 and at 77 N mm−2, respectively.