Mechanical and interfacial properties of plastic composite panels made from esterified bamboo particles

In this study, different extents of acetylated and butyrylated bamboo particle/plastic composites (BPPC) were produced by the flat-platen pressing process. The effect of esterification on mechanical and interfacial properties of BPPC was evaluated by a universal testing machine, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), ¹³C CP/MAS nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the internal bond (IB) and wood screw-holding strength of BPPC were significantly increased after acetylation, even though the weight gain of acetylated bamboo particles was only 2%. In addition, SEM micrographs revealed that acetylated bamboo particles were effectively trapped by the polymeric matrix on the IB-fractured surface of BPPC. These results indicate that the interfacial interaction between the bamboo particle and the polymeric matrix can be enhanced through acetylation.