UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
EFFICACY OF SELECTED PRESERVATIVES ON BAMBOO (Gigantochloa scortechinii) STRIPS AND LAMINATES
ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI
FH 2008 7
EFFICACY OF SELECTED PRESERVATIVES ON BAMBOO (Gigantochloa scortechinii)
STRIPS AND LAMINATES
ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI
MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
2008
EFFICACY OF SELECTED PRESERVATIVES ON BAMBOO (Gigantochloa scortechinii) STRIPS AND LAMINATES
By
ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI
Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduates Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science
May 2008
Abstract of thesis presented to the senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science
ii
EFFICACY OF SELECTED PRESERVATIVES ON BAMBOO (Gigantochloa scortechinii) STRIPS AND LAMINATES
By
ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI
May 2008
Chairman : Associate Professor Zaidon Ashaari, PhD Faculty : Forestry Bamboo can be an alternative for wood as raw material for laminated products. Like
wood, bamboo is non-durable. It is susceptible to fungal and termite attacks. Hence,
there is a need to treat bamboo to enhance their resistance towards fungal and termite
attacks. Chemical treatment is one of the effective ways to preserve bamboo and the
choice of preservatives and its concentrations would determine the success of the
treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of some preservatives
on bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii) strips and laminates in terms of their resistance
towards fungal and termite attacks. Other properties such as strength and gluing
quality of the strips were also determined. The preservatives used in this study were
pyrethroid compounds, i.e., light organic solvent preservatives (LOSP) (a.i tributyltin
naphthenate (3.5%), permethrin (0.2%)), water based preservatives (WBP) (a.i disodium
octaborate (10%), benzalkonium chloride (2%), permethrin (0.2%), tributyltin-oxide
(TBTO, 1%) and borax (5% w/v). Bamboo strips without epidermis, 150 mm x 20 mm x
4 mm were prepared and vacuum-preassure treated with the treating solutions.
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Untreated and water-boiled strips were served as controls. A batch of the treated and
untreated strips were evaluated for colour changes, strength properties (static bending)
and resistance towards white rot (Pycnophorous sanguineus Wulfex Fries) and termite
(Coptotermus curvignathus Holmgren) attacks. Another batch of the treated and
untreated strips were fabricated into laminates using phenol formaldehyde (PF) as
binder. The laminates were then tested for their bonding quality which includes
buffering capacity, contact angle, shear strength and percentage of wood failure. The
laminates were also subjected to white rot and termite tests.
All treatments changed the bamboo strips into lighter colour with the colour changes
index (∆E) value ranging from 2.68 to 11.7 and whitish (W) value 0.67 – 8.46%. TBTO-
treated strips had the highest ∆E while WBP-treated strips had the highest whitish
values, i.e., 9.29 and whitish value of 8.46%.
The resistance of bamboo strips and laminates against white rot and termite attacks
were evaluated based on their weight loss after exposure to those biodeteriorating
agents. The results showed that all preservative treatments increased the resistance of
bamboo strips and laminates towards white rot from the original value of 17.6%, i.e.,
weight loss of untreated strips and 22.9% (untreated laminates). However, boiling in
water for 30 minutes was decreased the resistance of the strips against white rot attacks.
The weight loss value for this strip was 21.8% while 22.4% for the laminates. TBTO was
iv
found to be the best preservative to protect both bamboo strips (10.7%) and laminates
(9.71%) against the fungus.
The results also revealed that bamboo laminate was more durable than bamboo strips
when exposed to termite. The increment in resistance for these materials were 62.5%
and 72.9%, respectively. All preservative-treated materials had significantly lower
weight loss values compared to untreated and water-boiled bamboo materials. Among
the preservatives, WBP gave the best protection against termite and borax-treated
materials had the least efficacy in protecting the strips. For the laminates, TBTO gave
the best protection while borax gave the least protection against termite.
A study on the strength properties of treated bamboo strips revealed that the chemical
treatments slightly reduced the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity
(MOE) in static bending. The reduction of MOR for the treated strips was in the range of
1.22% to 19.6% whilst the reduction in MOE ranging from 1.3% to 18.2%. Strips treated
with LOSP gave the most effect on the MOE and MOR properties. The strength and
stiffness of bamboo strips were markedly reduced when treated with LOSP while for
boiled treatment, the properties were slightly reduced.
The shear strength and bamboo failure of the laminates were evaluated in dry and wet
conditions. For wet condition test, the laminates were exposed to cyclic boil test. In dry
test, with the exception of borax treatment, the shear strength and bamboo failure of the
v
treated laminates were significantly reduced. The shear strength values for the treated
laminates were in the range of 0.64 Nmm-2 to 2.04 Nmm-2 compared to 2.66 Nmm-2 for
the untreated laminates. The same trend was observed when tested in wet condition.
The shear strength of the laminates was reduced for all treatments which the shear
strength ranged from 0.48 Nmm-2 to 0.65 Nmm-2 compared to 0.79 Nmm-2 for untreated
laminates. The wood failure of the treated material did not differ significantly to
untreated bamboo laminates. The wood failures ranged from 8 % to 28 % in dry
condition test and 2 to 4% in wet condition. The results also showed the bamboo
laminates surpass the requirement of the British Standard: Part 8: Specification for Bond
Performance of Veneer Plywood.
Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains
KEBERKESANAN BAHAN PENGAWETAN PILIHAN TERHADAP BILAH DAN LAMINASI BULUH SEMANTAN (Gigantochloa scortechinii)
Oleh
ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI
Mei 2008
vi
Pengerusi : Profesor Madya Zaidon Ashaari, PhD Fakulti : Perhutanan
Buluh boleh menjadi bahan mentah alternative selain kayu untuk produk laminasi.
Seperti kayu, buluh tidak mempunyai ketahanan yang tinggi terhadap serangan kulat
serta anai-anai. Oleh yang demikian, adalah perlu merawat buluh untuk meningkatkan
tahap ketahanan terhadap kulat serta anai-anai. Rawatan kimia adalah kaedah yang
efektif dalam merawat buluh dan pemilihan bahan awet dan kadar kepekatan bahan
awet akan pengaruhi keberkesanan rawatan. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menilai
keberkesanan bahan awet dan ke atas bilah dan laminasi buluh (Gigantochloa
scortechinii) terhadap serangan kulat dan anai-anai. Ciri kekuatan dan kualiti rekatan
laminasi turut dikaji. Bahan awet yang diguna dalam ujikaji ini adalah campuran
pyrethroid didalan bahan awet beasaskan larutan organik ringan (LOSP) (a.i tributyltin
naphthenate (3.5%), permethrin (0.2%)), pengawet berasaskan air (WBP) (a.i disodium
octaborate (10%), benzalkonium chloride (2%), permethrin (0.2%), tributyltin-oxide
(TBTO, 1%) dan borax (5% w/v). Bilah buluh, 150 mm x 20 mm x 4 mm tanpa
epidermis dirawat menggunakan kaedah tekanan vakum. Bilah buluh tanpa rawatan
serta rawatan merebus didalam air digunakan sebagai kawalan. Bilah buluh yang telah
dirawat diuji untuk melihat perubahan warna selepas rawatan, ciri kekuatan (lenturan)
dan ketahanan terhadap serangan kulat pereput putih (Pycnophorous sanguineus Wulfex
Fries) dan anai-anai (Coptotermus curvignathus Holmgren). Untuk laminasi buluh phenol
formaldehyde (PF) digunakan sebagai perekat. Laminasi buluh diuji untuk melihat
vii
kualiti rekatan termasuk kemampuan menampan alkali dan asid, sudut persentuhan,
kekuatan ricih dan kegagalan kayu. Ketahanan laminasi buluh juga di uji terhadap
serangan kulat pereput putih dan anai-anai.
Semua rawatan didapati mengubah warna bilah buluh menjadi lebih cerah dimana
index perubahan warna (∆E) adalah pada kadar 2.68 to 11.7 dan kadar keputihan (W)
adalah 0.67% – 8.46%. Bilah buluh yang dirawat menggunakan TBTO menpunyai index
perubahan warna (∆E) (9.29) manakala rawatan menggunakan WBP memberikan kadar
keputihan (8.46%) tertinggi.
Ketahanan bilah dan laminasi buluh terhadap serangan kulat pereput putih dan anai-
anai dinilai berdasarkan kehilangan berat selepas didedahkan kepada agen perosak.
Keputusan menunjukkan semuan rawatan menggunakan bahan awet meningkatkan
kadar tahap ketahanan bilah dan laminasi buluh berbanding kekurangan berat bilah
(17.6%) dan laminasi (22.9%) tanpa rawatan. Rawatan merebus didalam air selama 30
minit, mengurangkan tahap ketahanan terhadap serangan kulat pereput putih. Nilai
kehilangan berat untuk bilah adalah 21.8% dan 22.4% untuk laminasi buluh. Rawatan
menggunakan TBTO meningkatkan ketahanan 10.7% untuk bilah buluh dan 9.71%
untuk laminasi buluh jika dibandingkan dengan bahan awet yang lain.
Keputusan juga menunjukkan laminasi buluh mempunyai ketahanan yang lebih tinggi
dari bilah buluh selepas didedahkan terhadap anai-anai. Peningkatan tahap ketahanan
viii
untuk laminasi buluh adalah 62.5% dan 72.9% untuk bilah buluh. Semua rawatan kimia
didapati mengurangkan kehilang berat jika dibandingkan dengan dengan buluh tanpa
rawatan dan rawatan merebus didalam air. Diantara bahan awet, WBP memberikan
ketahanan paling tinggi terhadap serangan anai-anai, manakala rawatan menggunakan
borax memberikan ketahanan paling sedikit terhadap bilah buluh. Rawatan
menggunakan TBTO pula memberikan ketahanan paling tinggi dan rawatan
menggunakan borax pula memberikan ketahanan yang paling sedikit terhadap
laminasi buluh.
Ujikaji terhadap kelenturan bilah buluh selepas rawatan menunjukkan nilai modulus
kepecahan (MOR) dan nilai modulus kelenturan (MOE) sedikit berkurang.
Pengurangan nilai MOR adalah berkadar 1.22% - 19.6% manakala dalam MOE adalah
1.3% - 18.2%. Bilah yang dirawat menggunakan LOSP memberikan kesan yang paling
buruk terhadap MOE dan MOR. Kekuatan dan sifat kekakuan bilah buluh yang
dirawat menggunakan LOSP dan merebus nyata berkurangan selepas bilah dirawat.
Sifat kekuatan ricih dan kegagalan kayu laminasi buluh dinilai menggunakan ujian
kering (DT) dan basah (CBR). Dalam keadaan ujian basah, laminasi buluh didedahkan
dengan merebus serta merendam blok ujikaji didalam air sejuk secara berulang. Dalam
keadaan ujian kering, kecuali rawatan menggunakan borax, kekuatan ricih bagi
kesemua rawatan adalah menurun. Kekuatan ricih adalah berkadar 0.64 Nmm-2 - 2.04
Nmm-2 dibandingkan dengan 2.66 Nmm-2 bagi laminasi tanpa rawatan. Situasi yang
ix
sama berlaku dalam ujian keadaan basah. Kekuatan ricih laminasi buluh menurun
untuk semua rawatan dan berkadar 0.48 Nmm-2 – 0.65 Nmm-2 jika dibandingkan 0.78
Nmm-2 bagi laminasi tanpa rawatan. Kegagalan kayu tidak memberi kesan yang bererti
jika dibandingkan dengan bilah yang tidak dirawat. Peratus kegagalan kayu berkadar 8
% - 28 % dalam ujian keadaan kering dan 2 – 4% untuk ujian dalam keadan basah.
Secara keseluruhan, laminasi buluh ini adalah menepati piawaian dalam British
Standard:Bahagian 8: Spesifikasi untuk kekuatan lekatan papan lapis.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my appreciation to my main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zaidon
Ashaari for his guidence, patience, usefull comments, suggestions and critics
throughout this projects. My gratitude also goes to Dr. Faizah Abood and Dr. Fauzi
Febrianto for guidence and assistance.
Special thanks to Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) ; to Mr. Mohd. Khairun
Anwar, Mr. Tamizi, Mr. Rahim Ahmad and. Also special thanks to Malayan Adhesive
and Chemicals Sdn. Bhd. especially Dr. Nor Yuziah for assistance and support.
Last but not least, my deepest gratitude and love to my father (Alamjuri Buhuri), my
mother (Maznah Johan), my siblings Rizalmie, Roziana Linawati and Rozali Norhisyam
for their prayers, support, inspiration and encouragement to me all along this journey.
x
Finally, I would like to express my many thanks to who helped me to complete this
study as well as my friends especially Sabiha Salim, Syeed Saifulazry, Norhairul Nizam,
Khairun Anwar and Mohd. Suhaimi Sulaiman for their moral support and most of all
their invaluable friendship and always ready to listen and extend to helping hands in
whatever and whenever need is necessary.
I certify that the Examination Committee met on 5 May 2008 to conduct the final examination of Roziela Hanim bt. Alamjuri on her Master of Science thesis entitiled “ Efficacy of Some Preservatives on Bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii) Strips and Laminates” in accordance with Universiti Putra Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulations 1981. The committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relavent degree. Member of the Examination Committee are as follows: ………………………, Ph.D Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) ………………………., Ph.D Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) ………………………., Ph.D Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner)
xi
__________________________________ HASANAH MOHD GHAZALI, PhD Professer/Deputy Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee are as follow: Zaidon Ashaari, Ph. D. Associate Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Faizah Abood Haris, Ph. D Faculty of Forestry University Putra Malaysia (Member)
______________________________ AINI IDERIS, PhD Professor/Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia
Date:
xii
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quatations and citations, which have been duty acknowledge. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other instituitions.
________________________________ ROZIELA HANIM BT. ALAMJURI
Date:
xiii
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ABSTRACT iii ABSTRAK vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT xi APPROVAL xii DECRALATION xiv TABLE OF CONTENT xv LIST OF TABLES xviii LIST OF FIGURES xx LIST OF PLATES xxi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 II LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Bamboo 2.1 2.2 Scenario of wood supply and demand in Malaysia 2.8 2.3 Alternative resources 2.10 2.4 Bamboo in Malaysia 2.16 2.5 Properties of bamboo 2.21 2.5.1 Anatomical Structure 2.21 2.5.2 Mechanical Properties 2.23 2.5.3 Chemicals properties 2.27 2.5.4 Durability of Bamboo 2.29 2.5.4.1 Termite (Coptotermes curvignathus) 2.30 2.5.4.2 White Rot Fungus (Pycnoporus sanguineus) 2.33 2.5.5 Treatability of Bamboo 2.34
xiv
2.6 Preservation of Bamboo 2.36 2.6.1 Pyrethroids based preservatives 2.38 2.6.2 Tributyltin oxide (TBTO) 2.41 2.6.3 Boron Compound 2.42 2.6.4 Method of preservation 2.43 2.7 Laminated bamboo products 2.44 2.7.1 Bonding quality 2.44 2.7.2 Contact Angle 2.45 2.7.3 Buffering Capacity 2.46 2.7.4 Adhesive 2.47
III MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 Raw Material 3.1 3.2 Preparation of Samples 3.3 3.3 Treatment of Bamboo Strips 3.6 3.4 Boiling of Bamboo in Water 3.7 3.5 Colour Evaluation 3.8 3.6 Resistance of Treated Bamboo Strips and Laminates to Termite (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren) Attack. 3.9 3.6.1 Collection of Termite 3.9 3.6.2 Preparation of Testing Blocks 3.10 3.6.3 Preparation of Sand 3.11 3.6.4 Termite Resistance Test 3.12 3.7 Resistance of Treated Bamboo Strips and Laminates to White Rot (Pycnophorous sanguineus ) 3.14 3.7.1 Preparation of Culture Media 3.14 3.7.2 Preparation of Soil Substrate 3.15 3.7.3 Sample Preparation 3.15 3.7.4 Determination of Soil Water Holding Capacity 3.16 3.7.5 Preparation of Soil Culture Bottle 3.17 3.8 Evaluation of Bonding Properties 3.19 3.8.1 Contact Angle 3.20 3.8.2 Buffering Capacity 3.21 3.8.3 Formation of Bamboo Sheet 3.22 3.8.4 Fabricating Bamboo Laminate 3.22 3.8.5 Cold and Hot Press 3.24 3.9 Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Strips 3.24 3.9.1 Evaluation of Static Bending 3.25 3.9.2 Evaluation of Shear Strength and Wood Failure of Bamboo Laminates 3.26
xv
3.10 Statistical Analysis 3.28
IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Colour Properties 4.1 4.2 Evaluation on Chemical Retention 4.4 4.3 Modulus of rupture (MOR) and Modulus of elasticity (MOE) 4.11
4.4 Efficacy of Chemical Treatments on Bamboo Strips towards Termite(Coptotermes curvignathus) Attack 4.11
4.4.1 Resistance of bamboo strips and laminates after treatment with chemicals against termite (Coptotermes curvignathus) 4.14
4.5 Efficacy of Chemical Treatments on Bamboo
Strips toward Fungal Pycnoporous sanguineus) Attack 4.22
4.6 Bonding Evaluation of Ply-bamboo 4.27 4.6.1 Contact Angle 4.28 4.6.2 Buffering Capacity 4.31
4.7 Shear Strength and Bamboo Failure 4.33 V CONCLUSION
REFERENCES R.1 APPENDICES A.1 BIODATA OF THE AUTHOR B.1
xvi
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page 2.1 Various useful applications of bamboo at different ages. Source: Adam( 2003) 2.4 2.2 Panels commercialized and ready for commercialization. Source: Ganaphaty et al. (1999) 2.7 2.3 Advantages and disadvantages of bamboo and some construction materials. Source: Katleen (2005) 2.15 2.4 Bamboo distribution in North-West of Peninsular Malaysia. Source: Abd. Latif and Razak Othman (1991) 2.17 2.5 Distribution, culm characteristic and usable culm length of bamboo species suitable for the production of parquet and laminates. Source: Abd. Latif and Razak (1991) 2.18 2.6 Commercially utilized bamboos in Malaysia.Source: Poh (1994) 2.19 2.7 Comparative of strength and stiffness of building materials Source: Janssen (1980) 2.25 2.8 Comparison of mechanical performance of common bamboo and matter material (Average). Source Yang and Zhang (1991) 2.25 2.9 Strength of Bamboo Compared to Selected Timber Species. Source: Jennsen (1980) 2.26
2.10 Chemical Composition of some bamboos. Source: Tamolang et al (1980) 2.28
xvii
2.11 Types of synthetic pyrethroids. Source: Anonymous (2005) 2.40 2.12 Characteristics of the resin. Source: Malayan Adhesive and Chemical (MAC) Sdn. Bhd (2004). 2.48 3.1 Chemical composition in preservatives used in this study. 3.3 3.2 Block evaluation. Source: ASTM (1986) 3.13 3.3 Termite mortality rating. Source: ASTM (1986) 3.14 3.4 Characteristics of PF resin. Source: Malayan Adhesive and Chemical (MAC) Sdn. Bhd (2004) 3.24 3.5 Mixing Formulation for PF Adhesive. Source: MAC (2004) 3.24 3.6 Requirement for Shear Strength and Wood Failure. Source: British Standard (1986) 3.27 4.1 Colour changes of bamboo strips after treated with different chemicals determined using Colorimeter. 4.1 4.2 Mean dry salt retentions in bamboo strips after treated with different chemicals. 4.3 4.3 Mean values for MOR and MOE of untreated and treated bamboo strips 4.8 4.4 General observation of termite (Coptotermus curvignathus) activity during the test period. 4.12 4.5 Mean weight loss of sample blocks of untreated and treated bamboo strips and laminates after 4 weeks of exposure Coptotermes curvignathus. 4.15 4.6 Mean weight loss of untreated and treated bamboo strips and laminates after exposure to Pycnoporous sanguineus. 4.22 4.7 Contact angle (°) on the outer layer and inner layer surface of G. scortechinii strips determined using AB Lorentzen and Watter (L-W) surface wettability tester and distilled water. 4.29
xviii
4.8 Mean shear strength, bamboo failure and shear strength reduction percentage of bamboo chemically treated as compared to British Standard (Anonymous, 1986) 4.34
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page 2.1 Export from China by origin, 2002 (Jin, 2003) 2.6 3.1 Experimental design of the study 3.5 3.4 Vacuum Impregnation Apparatus 3.6 4.1: Percent change of ∆E and W of treated strips as compared to untreated after treatments 4.2 4.2 Variation of pH with respects to addition of acid 4.32 4.3 Variation of pH with respects to addition of alkali 4.33 4.4 Shear reduction of treated bamboo laminate calculated against untreated laminates. 4.35
xix
LIST OF PLATES
Plate Page 2.1 Gigantochloa scortechinii clumps 2.20 2.2 Nodal Morphology 2.22 3.1 Gigantochloa scortechinii culms 3.2 3.2 Splitter Knife 3.4 3.3 Single face planning machine 3.5 3.4 Vacuum Impregnation Apparatus 3.7 3.5 Trunk of kedondong covered with mud indicates the presence of termites 3.11 3.6 Termite (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren), a) Soldier b) Worker 3.11 3.7 White rot (Pycnoporous sanguineus) 3.15 3.8 (a) Fungus inoculum (b) Innoculating fungus in a petri dish filled with malt agar (c) Testing blocks in a culture bottles. 3.19 3.9 The AB Lorentzen and Watter (L-W) surface wettability tester. 3.21 3.10 Shear Test. 3.27 4.1 Sample covered by sand as antagonizing with preservatives. 4.13 4.2 Inner part of bamboo strips is severely attacked by Coptotermes
xx
xxi
curvignathus. 4.18 4.3 Typical ratings on termite damaged at inner part of the test blocks following rating value specific in ASTM standard (ASTM, 1986). 4.20 4.4 Droplet of distilled water on bamboo strip surface which is treated with LOSP at 1 second. 4.31 4.5 Typical bamboo failure of G. scortechinii. 4.37
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Bamboo is a fast growing monocotyledon plant belonging to the Graminae
family and Bambusiodae subfamily. It consists about 700 species and are found
in Asia (Liese, 1985). In contrast, other estimates bamboo diversity vary from
about 45 – 50 genera with 300 – 750 species (Dransfield and Uchimura, 1980). In
Malaysia, Wong (1995) reported that there are 59 bamboo species representing
14 genera. Out of these, 34 species are indigenous and the others are introduced
or only known through cultivation.
Due to its fast growing ability and availability, attractive and unique
appearances, bamboo species such as Gigantochloa scortechinii and G. wrayi was
intensively used in the cottage industry for making products like poultry cage,
vegetable basket, handicraft items, joss paper, incense stick, skewer and
chopsticks (Azmy and Razak, 1991; Aminuddin, 1995). In Indonesia, bamboo
were converted into a form of sheet by weaving bamboo into mat, which then
can be served as a part of hut compartments such as wall, ceiling and ground
coverings (Larasati, 1999).
1.1
Anwar et al. (2005), reported that bamboo such as G. scortechinii are suitable for
composite materials, laminated boards and plywood. The properties of plywood
made from G. scortechinii are extremely high in modulus of rupture, bending
strength and modulus of elasticity. The ply-bamboo strength ranks as the
highest among all the structural boards and even as good as the solid wood of
high-density commercial timber (Chen et al., 1985).
At present, rubberwood is the most abundant material for particleboard
manufactured in Malaysia (Jalil, 2002). However, due to the scarcity of these
resources, development of other materials such as bamboo should be explored
to overcome this problem. Bamboo, as a fast growing renewable material with a
simple production process, is expected to be a sustainable alternative for more
conventional materials like concrete, steel and timber (Lugt et. al, 2003). In fact,
Anonymous (2002), Kries (2000) recognized bamboo as a very sustainable
material.
Gigantochloa scortechinii, known as Buluh Semantan is well known and
established in the Malaysian community. It was widely used for traditional uses
such as water pipes, poles, flooring, and handicrafts. In the 1980’s, due to the
dwindling supply of wood in the tropics the interest in bamboo as wood
material has been getting greater attention. It emerged as the most potential non
timber forest product to substitute wood as a raw material. Besides, bamboo
1.2
composites have gained popularity in Japan and China (Tang, 1996) and it is
widely recognized in panel form and ideal compared to wood.
Bamboo has similar morphological properties with wood and one of the fastest
growing species (Ray, 2005). Its growth rate depends on species and generally
matures quickly (Aminuddin and Abd. Latif, 1991). Bamboo is a highly
renewable resource which may have 40 – 50 stems in one clump, which adds up
to 10 to 20 culms yearly. However, the low durability of bamboo makes it render
highly susceptible to fungi, insect and other deterioration agents. According to
durability classification (Anonymous, 1982), bamboos fall in class III (non-
durable category) with little variation in durability among different species. The
starch content in bamboo plays an important role in its durability and service
life. Abd. Latif et. al, (1993) found that the durability of bamboo against
deterioration agents is strongly associated with the chemical composition.
Fresh felled bamboo must be treated, although the development of stain can be
avoided by rapid drying (Richardson, 1993). In fact, even in kiln drying there is
a threat that stain will develop before the moisture content is significantly
reduced. Bamboo can be treated either by non-chemical or chemical methods.
Non–chemical methods include soaking, smoking and boiling (Zaidon et al.,
2000). Chemical treatment which includes brushing, spraying, butt-treatment,
sap displacement method, vacuum, hot and cold bath, and by full or empty cell
1.3
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