Abstract
Mechanical properties of natural bamboo fiber (Madake; Phyllostachys bambusoides) and fracture behavior of green composite based on bamboo fiber and biodegradable resin have been investigated in terms of the effects of chemical treatment of the fiber. Fiber fragmentation behavior in a single bamboo fiber reinforced biodegradable resin matrix composite was confirmed experimentally and further analytically. The weak alkali (1.6wt% concentration) treated bamboo fiber showed 6% drop of tensile strength and 13.5 % and 7 % increase of fracture strain and elastic modulus. The results of fiber fragmentation tests were considered with the statistical approaches on composite materials. When the resin matrix is embedded into the slits between fiber cells in alkali treated bamboo, the composite interfacial shear stress, τ is enhanced because of an anchor mechanism. However, it is shown that the brittle fracture mode of composite is caused to the higher interfacial shear stress,τ.
