Effects of Steam Treatment on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Oriented Strand Board

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the properties of bamboo oriented strand board (B-OSB) from andong (Gigantochloa psedoarundinacea) and betung (Dendrocalamus asper) with and without steam treatment. Strands were steam-treated at 126°C for 1 h under 0.14 MPa pressure. The extractive content of bamboo strands before and after steam treatment were determined according to a standard (TAPPI T 204 om-88). Three-layer B-OSB with the core layer perpendicular to the surface and back layers were formed and binded with 8% of phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin with the addition of 1% of wax. The evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of the boards were conducted in accordance with the JIS A 5908:2003 standard. The results showed that steam treatment of bamboo strands significantly reduced the extractive content. Steam treatment tended to increase the dimensional stability and mechanical properties of B-OSB from andong and betung. The results showed that the dimensional stability and bending strength of B-OSB from betung was higher than those of andong. The internal bond strength of B-OSB from andong was higher than betung owing to a greater amount of extractives dissolved during the steam treatment.