The Effects of Bamboo:Cement Ratio and Magnesium Chloride (MgCl_2) Content on the Properties of Bamboo―Cement Boards

摘要

Laboratory-scale bamboo-cement boards were made from strand-like particles of betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper Backer). The effects of two bamboo:cemcnt ratios (1:2.4 and 1:2.5) and five levels of magnesium chloride (MgCl_2) content (0,2.5,5,7.5 and 10% of cement weight) on the properties of bamboo-cement boards were examined. The results showed that the bamboo strands could not be used in their native form for the manufacture of cement-bonded boards; they must be soaked first in cold water for 24 h prior to board fabrication. The average density of the boards produced was 1.19 g cm~(-3). The bambooxement ratio significantly affected the thickness swelling, water absorption, modulus of rupture and screw-holding power of bamboo-cement boards. The MgCl_2 content greatly affected all the boards' properties except density and linear expansion. The dimensional stability and mechanical properties of bamboo-cement boards increased as the MgCl_2 content increased up to a level of 5%. At higher MgCl_2, contents, board properties decreased slightly. The board produced at a bamboo:cement ratio of 1:2.5 and MgCl_2 content of 5% had the best dimensional stability and mechanical properties.