Bamboo Panel Boards - International Network for Bamboo and Rattan

36BAMBOO PANEL BOARDSTab/e 17: Test results obtained for bamboard (Canada)PropertiesValuesDensity 750 kg/m 3Modulus of elasticity (longitudinal)3 100 MPaModulus of rupture (longitudinal)17.2 MPaInternal bond strength345 kPaWater absorption (after 24 h soaking) 57%Thickness swelling 14%INDIAOnly a small quantity of bamboo particleboard (about 1 500 t/y) is producedand entrepreneurial interest has not shown any signs of growth. As a commonnational standard exists for particleboard produced from all lignocellulosicmaterials, bamboo particleboard requires to conform to 1S:3087-l 985 (StandardSpecification for Medium Density Wood Particleboard for General Purposes). Thetechnology employed is as follows:" Breaking culms into needle-shaped particles in a hammer mill;" Screening;" Drying to 3-4% moisture content;" Application (l0-12% of weight on solid basis) of adhesive containing l-l .5%wax emulsion;" Mat forming (moisture content of furnish 12-14%); and" Hot-pressing for 0.9 to 1 .O minute/mm at a temperature of 140-l 50°C (specificpressure depends on the density required).MALAYSIAParticleboard that conforms to British Standard BS:5906-1989 is producedin Malaysia, although in very small quantities. The main manufacturing steps are:" Beating of culm into particles;" Drying;" Spraying UF resin adhesive;" Mat forming; and" Hot-pressing for 6 minute at 16O°C.The physical and mechanical properties are shown in Table 18.