Effects of thermal treatment on durability of short bamboo-fibers and its reinforced composites

This study was performed to investigate the influence of heat treatment on the chemical transformation and associated improved durability of short bamboo-fibers (BF) and its reinforced composites. Results showed that cleavage of acetyl groups of the hemicelluloses developed with increasing temperature and holding time, and completed beyond 190 °C for more than 3 h, resulting in a noticeable increase of cellulose content and a substantial reduction of concentration of accessible hydroxyl groups. Heat treatment improved thermal stability and anti-UV aging properties of treated BF, and also contributed to a decrease of equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of treated BF and consequent improvements of hygroscopicity and the dimensional stability of its reinforced composite. However, immoderate heat treatment for BF wasn’t in favor of improvements of hygroscopicity and the dimensional stability of BF based composites.