Thermogravimetric and Weathering Study of Novolac Resin Composites Reinforced With Mercerized Bamboo Fiber

The effect of alkali treatment of bamboo strips on the thermal and weathering properties of unidirectional bamboo strips-novolac resin composites were investigated in this work. Both alkali treated and untreated bamboo fiber-reinforced composites were fabricated. All types of composite specimens were subjected to accelerated weathering and the % water absorption and dimensional changes were recorded after 120 h immersion in water at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and further characterized by flexural property measurements. The composites were also subjected to exposure at 100% humidity and UV exposure (sun light) for 75 h. The results showed that the composites with treated bamboo strips showed a better weathering characteristics compared with the untreated ones. Thermogravimatric analysis of all the samples indicated better thermal properties of alkali treated samples. These findings confirmed the improved interfacial interactions arising from covalent bonds between the alkali treated bamboo fibers and novolac resin. POLYM. COMPOS., 30:1408-1416, 2009. (C) 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers