Effects of Bamboo Species, Pressing Time and Pre-treatment of Bamboo Strips on the Properties of Laminated Bamboo Board

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of bamboo species, pressing time and pre-treatment of bamboo strips on the properties of laminated bamboo board (LBB). Bamboo strips for LBB fabrication were prepared from mature cu/ms (± 4 years old) of a11do11g bamboo (Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea) and mqyan bamboo (Gigantochloa rob us ta) collectedfrom private gardens in If/est Java. The strips.fro111each bamboo species tuere assigned into 3 groups by pre-treatment methods: toureated,cold soaking in 7% boron solution for 2 boars, and bleached with 15% by drogenperoxide solution.The LBB was manufacred using ureaformaydeble (UF)added with wheal'flour eqtta! to 10% o/ U F The cold pressing time applieduere 4 bosrs and 5 hours.The resultssboued that the average density, moisture content and thickness SI/le/ling ef laminated bamboo boards n/ere 0.76 g/ Cf!/, 9.70% and 3.97% respectivefy. No delananationoccurred in all .rcwples lfsi11g UF gllfe, 1vhich indicating high bonding q11alz!J. The average bonding strength (dry test) of laminated bamhoo board madefro111andong1vas hip,her (74.8 kg/ m/) than that cf mqpn bamboo (67.9 kg/ cm') Preservation and hleachi11g treatmen! o/ bamboo strips reduced the strength o/ LBB.Several properties of I ~BB mere not si,f!,nificantfy affected by;• bamboo species except the compressionstrength. Ingeneral tbree-lqyerthick laminated bamboo board either madefro111 andong or 111qya11 hamboo had strength val11e.r comparableto u/ood strength dew I,whereas tbose strips bleached with 15% hydrogenperoxide solntion had strength values similar to wood strenc~th class 11.Laminated bamboo board is suitablefor solid uood ssbstitate and peiforms as altemative matenalfor:f11mit11re, interior design and buliding materials.