Development of structural composite products made from bamboo I: fundamental properties of bamboo zephyr board

A study was conducted to determine the suitability of zephyr strand from mo so bamboo (Pyllostachys pubescens Mazel) for structural composite board man ufacture. Thirty-two 1.8 x 40 x 40 cm bamboo zephyr boards (BZB) were produ ced using four diameters of zephyr strand (9.5, 4.7, 2.8, and 1.5 mm) and f our target densities (0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 0.9 g/cm(3)). Results indicate tha t BZB exhibits superior strength properties compared to the commercial prod ucts. The size of the zephyr strand and the level of target density had a s ignificant effect on the moduli of elasticity and rupture, internal bond st rength, water absorption, and thickness swelling, but they did not have a s ignificant effect on linear expansion. With regard to the physical properti es, BZB exhibited less thickness swelling and exhibited good dimensional st ability under dry-wet conditioning cycles.