DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS OF BAMBOO/COIR FIBRE BASED COMPOSITE USING GUM ARABIC BINDER FOR PARTICLE BOARD PRODUCTION
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Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials has spurred significant interest in the development of alternative composite materials. Bamboo, known for its rapid growth and high strength-to-weight ratio, presents a promising candidate for such applications. This project explores the production of bamboo/coir fibre composite boards, leveraging the delignification process to enhance fiber compatibility with gum arabic as a natural binding agent.
The methodology involved multiple steps, starting with an extensive literature review to establish a theoretical framework. Fresh bamboo was subjected to a delignification process using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to remove lignin, followed by grinding the treated bamboo into fine particles. Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to plan the experiments systematically, optimizing the variables involved. The ground bamboo particles were then mixed with gum arabic and coconut fiber as reinforcement, and the mixture was molded into boards. These boards were subjected to rigorous testing to determine their modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, water absorption, and thickness swelling.
The results indicated that the delignification process significantly improved the bonding between bamboo fibers and gum arabic, resulting in composite boards with enhanced mechanical properties. The modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of the boards met industry standards, demonstrating their potential as a viable alternative to traditional wood- based materials. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the optimal composite formulation was identified, highlighting the potential of bamboo composite boards for sustainable and eco-friendly applications.
The methodology involved multiple steps, starting with an extensive literature review to establish a theoretical framework. Fresh bamboo was subjected to a delignification process using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to remove lignin, followed by grinding the treated bamboo into fine particles. Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to plan the experiments systematically, optimizing the variables involved. The ground bamboo particles were then mixed with gum arabic and coconut fiber as reinforcement, and the mixture was molded into boards. These boards were subjected to rigorous testing to determine their modulus of elasticity, tensile strength, water absorption, and thickness swelling.
The results indicated that the delignification process significantly improved the bonding between bamboo fibers and gum arabic, resulting in composite boards with enhanced mechanical properties. The modulus of elasticity and tensile strength of the boards met industry standards, demonstrating their potential as a viable alternative to traditional wood- based materials. Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), the optimal composite formulation was identified, highlighting the potential of bamboo composite boards for sustainable and eco-friendly applications.
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