Physical and mechanical properties of agglomerated panels made from bamboo fiber and vegetable resin

Agglomerated panels using bamboo fibers and vegetal resin were constructed and their physical and mechanical properties were evaluated. The fibers used were extracted from the top of bamboo culms of the species Guadua Angustifolia Kunth, preserved and treated according to the recommendations of the Colombian Technical Standard. As the matrix of the composite, a vegetal polyurethane derived from the plant called “higuerilla” was used. The physical and mechanical properties of the panels: density, absorption capacity, percentage of swelling, tensile, compression, and flexural strength, were determined according to the specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials. For the manufacture of the agglomerate, the method of manual molding and a process of compaction by pressing were used. To guarantee the integrity and durability of the fibers and their adhesion to the matrix, an alkaline treatment was carried out. The experimental results were compared with results found in the reference bibliography. The results presented show the feasibility of using agglomerates made with Guadua fibers and vegetal resin for non-structural purposes.