Physico-mechanical properties and fracture characteristics of composite lumber

The bamboo strips and oil palm trunk veneers were laid-up together alternately using phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive to form composite lumber with two different types of layer orientation. The composite lumber was hot pressed at two different pressing times. Physical properties test, such as cold water and hot water delamination, as well as mechanical properties test, such as flexural and compression were conducted according to a specific standard. Results showed that longer pressing time has increased all properties, except flexural and compression. Cross orientation has increased the bonding strength behaviour between bamboo strips and oil palm trunk veneers, thus influenced the low delamination percentage and good modulus of elasticity value. It is observed that the different failure behaviour was influenced by different types of layer orientation, especially in compression and physical properties. Different pressing times had not influenced any difference of failure modes.