Abstract
Raw bamboo was hot-pressed in order to increase its mechanical properties, such as flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength. The hot-pressing conditions were varied in the following range: temperature, room temperature to 220℃: pressure, 5 to 100 MPa. The flexural strength, compressive strength and Izod impact strength increased with increasing molding temperature, showing the maximum peak values at 160℃, but thereafter decreased. Densification at both vascular bundles and parenchyma cells region was achieved by hot-pressing, resulting in the improved mechanical properties.
