Mechanical Properties of Bambusa Oldhamii and Yushania-Alpina Bamboo Fibres Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Yalew Dessalegn; Balkeshwar Singh; Aart W van Vuure; Ali A Rajhi; Alaauldeen A Duhduh; Nazia Hossain; Gulam Mohammed Sayeed Ahmed

doi:10.3390/polym14132733

Mechanical Properties of Bambusa Oldhamii and Yushania-Alpina Bamboo Fibres Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Polymers (Basel). 2022 Jul 4;14(13):2733. doi: 10.3390/polym14132733.

Authors

Yalew Dessalegn¹, Balkeshwar Singh¹, Aart W van Vuure², Ali A Rajhi³, Alaauldeen A Duhduh⁴, Nazia Hossain⁵, Gulam Mohammed Sayeed Ahmed^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ Program of Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama 1888, Ethiopia.
² Department Materials Engineering, Campus Group T, Composite Materials Group, KU Leuven, Andreas Vesaliusstraat 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, CAIT, Jazan University, Prince Mohammed Street, P.O. Box 114, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
⁶ Center of Excellence (COE) for Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, ASTU, Adama 1888, Ethiopia.

Abstract

The current studies aim to measure the mechanical strength based on age, harvesting season and bamboo species in Ethiopia. The bamboo fibres are extracted using a roll milling machine, which was developed by the author. The age groups (1, 2 and 3 years), harvesting months (February and November), and bamboo species (Yushania alpina and Bambusa oldhamii) are the parameters of the current research studies. Prepregs and composites were produced from bamboo fibres and polypropylene. The mechanical properties of bamboo fibres and their composites in Ethiopia have not been investigated by researchers for the composite application so far. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and impact strength of injibara (Y. alpina) bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites from the ages of 1- 3 years old in November is 111 ± 9-125 ± 8 MPa, 15 ± 0.9-25 ± 0.72 GPa, and 47 ± 5 KJ/m²-57 ± 6 KJ/m², whereas, in February, it is 86 ± 3.86-116 ± 10 MPa, 11 ± 0.71-23 ± 1.5 GPa, and 34 ± 4-52 ± 6 KJ/m², respectively. Moreover, Kombolcha (B. oldhamii), bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites in November are 93 ± 7-111 ± 8 MPa, 7 ± 0.51-17 ± 2.56 GPa, and 39 ± 4-44 ± 5 KJ/m², whereas, in February, it is 60 ± 5-104 ± 10 MPa, 12 ± 0.95-14 ± 0.92 GPa, and 26 ± 3 KJ/m²-38 ± 4 KJ/m², respectively. Furthermore, Mekaneselam (Y. alpina) bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites in November are 99 ± 8-120 ± 11 MPa, 9 ± 0.82-16 ± 1.85 GPa, and 37 ± 4 KJ/m²-46 ± 5 KJ/m², whereas, in February, it is 91 ± 8-110 ± 9 MPa, 8 ± 0.75-14 ± 1.86 GPa, and 34 ± 3 KJ/m²-40 ± 4 KJ/m², respectively. At two years, November and Injibara bamboo have recorded the highest mechanical properties in the current research studies. Bamboo fiber strength in Ethiopia is comparable to the previous study of bamboo fibres and glass fibres used for composite materials in the automotive industry.

Keywords: age; bamboo species; harvesting seasons; impact strength; polypropylene composite; tensile strength.

Grants and funding

RGP. 2/129/43./The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia for funding this work through the Research Group Program under grant no. RGP. 2/129/43.