Study on Different Process to Increase Utilization of Bamboo for Bamboo Strand Lumber

The present study investigates the effect of chemical treatment of bamboo for development of bamboo strand lumber using bamboo strips without removing the epidermal and endodermal layert o increase the utilization of bamboo. Bamboo were subjected to chemical treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), sodium sulphate (Na 2 SO 4 ), and sodium sulphite (Na 2 SO 43 ). The scrimber was tested for mechanical and physical properties. Bamboo, treated with 15% conc. NaOH solution found to have MOR and MOE values of 193 N/mm 2 and 19404 N/mm 2 respectively compared to 198 N/mm 2 and 14565 N/mm 2 of the control sample. Density of all the chemically treated samples was found in the range of 867 to 990 kg/m 3 compared to 1016kg/m 3 of control sample. All the composites were found to be resistant to delamination after 72 hrs. boiling (as per requirements for BWP grade panels).