Volume 11 Issue 2 ( June )

Bamboo fiber-reinforced composites have been studied for engineering and biomedical materials due to their higher mechanical properties and lower density than other natural fibersThe purpose of this study is to determine how different stacking sequences of woven E-glass fibers (G) and woven bamboo (treated bamboo (B) and untreated bamboo (Ub)) affect the properties (bending, impact, and water absorption) of B, Ub, and G-strengthened polyester filled with eggshell microparticles (EMPs). The bamboo slats were immersed in water for 120 hours and alkalized with 6% NaOH for 36 hours. The composites were fabricated by hand lay-up using various stacking sequences of GUbG, GBG, GBBG, and GBGBG. The composite with a stacking sequence of GBGBG had the best flexural strength and impact toughness, at 177.19 MPa and 88.13 kJ/m2, respectively. It also had the lowest amount of water absorption, at 0.64%. This composite is potentially being developed for biomedical materials.

Keywords: woven E-glass; woven bamboo slats; eggshell; laminated composite; mechanical and physical properties