UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

EFFICACY OF SELECTED PRESERVATIVES ON BAMBOO (Gigantochloa scortechinii) STRIPS AND LAMINATES

ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI

FH 2008 7

EFFICACY OF SELECTED PRESERVATIVES ON BAMBOO (Gigantochloa scortechinii)

STRIPS AND LAMINATES

ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI

MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

2008

EFFICACY OF SELECTED PRESERVATIVES ON BAMBOO (Gigantochloa scortechinii) STRIPS AND LAMINATES

By

ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI

Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduates Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science

May 2008

Abstract of thesis presented to the senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science

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EFFICACY OF SELECTED PRESERVATIVES ON BAMBOO (Gigantochloa scortechinii) STRIPS AND LAMINATES

By

ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI

May 2008

Chairman : Associate Professor Zaidon Ashaari, PhD Faculty : Forestry Bamboo can be an alternative for wood as raw material for laminated products. Like

wood, bamboo is non-durable. It is susceptible to fungal and termite attacks. Hence,

there is a need to treat bamboo to enhance their resistance towards fungal and termite

attacks. Chemical treatment is one of the effective ways to preserve bamboo and the

choice of preservatives and its concentrations would determine the success of the

treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of some preservatives

on bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii) strips and laminates in terms of their resistance

towards fungal and termite attacks. Other properties such as strength and gluing

quality of the strips were also determined. The preservatives used in this study were

pyrethroid compounds, i.e., light organic solvent preservatives (LOSP) (a.i tributyltin

naphthenate (3.5%), permethrin (0.2%)), water based preservatives (WBP) (a.i disodium

octaborate (10%), benzalkonium chloride (2%), permethrin (0.2%), tributyltin-oxide

(TBTO, 1%) and borax (5% w/v). Bamboo strips without epidermis, 150 mm x 20 mm x

4 mm were prepared and vacuum-preassure treated with the treating solutions.

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Untreated and water-boiled strips were served as controls. A batch of the treated and

untreated strips were evaluated for colour changes, strength properties (static bending)

and resistance towards white rot (Pycnophorous sanguineus Wulfex Fries) and termite

(Coptotermus curvignathus Holmgren) attacks. Another batch of the treated and

untreated strips were fabricated into laminates using phenol formaldehyde (PF) as

binder. The laminates were then tested for their bonding quality which includes

buffering capacity, contact angle, shear strength and percentage of wood failure. The

laminates were also subjected to white rot and termite tests.

All treatments changed the bamboo strips into lighter colour with the colour changes

index (∆E) value ranging from 2.68 to 11.7 and whitish (W) value 0.67 – 8.46%. TBTO-

treated strips had the highest ∆E while WBP-treated strips had the highest whitish

values, i.e., 9.29 and whitish value of 8.46%.

The resistance of bamboo strips and laminates against white rot and termite attacks

were evaluated based on their weight loss after exposure to those biodeteriorating

agents. The results showed that all preservative treatments increased the resistance of

bamboo strips and laminates towards white rot from the original value of 17.6%, i.e.,

weight loss of untreated strips and 22.9% (untreated laminates). However, boiling in

water for 30 minutes was decreased the resistance of the strips against white rot attacks.

The weight loss value for this strip was 21.8% while 22.4% for the laminates. TBTO was

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found to be the best preservative to protect both bamboo strips (10.7%) and laminates

(9.71%) against the fungus.

The results also revealed that bamboo laminate was more durable than bamboo strips

when exposed to termite. The increment in resistance for these materials were 62.5%

and 72.9%, respectively. All preservative-treated materials had significantly lower

weight loss values compared to untreated and water-boiled bamboo materials. Among

the preservatives, WBP gave the best protection against termite and borax-treated

materials had the least efficacy in protecting the strips. For the laminates, TBTO gave

the best protection while borax gave the least protection against termite.

A study on the strength properties of treated bamboo strips revealed that the chemical

treatments slightly reduced the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity

(MOE) in static bending. The reduction of MOR for the treated strips was in the range of

1.22% to 19.6% whilst the reduction in MOE ranging from 1.3% to 18.2%. Strips treated

with LOSP gave the most effect on the MOE and MOR properties. The strength and

stiffness of bamboo strips were markedly reduced when treated with LOSP while for

boiled treatment, the properties were slightly reduced.

The shear strength and bamboo failure of the laminates were evaluated in dry and wet

conditions. For wet condition test, the laminates were exposed to cyclic boil test. In dry

test, with the exception of borax treatment, the shear strength and bamboo failure of the

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treated laminates were significantly reduced. The shear strength values for the treated

laminates were in the range of 0.64 Nmm-2 to 2.04 Nmm-2 compared to 2.66 Nmm-2 for

the untreated laminates. The same trend was observed when tested in wet condition.

The shear strength of the laminates was reduced for all treatments which the shear

strength ranged from 0.48 Nmm-2 to 0.65 Nmm-2 compared to 0.79 Nmm-2 for untreated

laminates. The wood failure of the treated material did not differ significantly to

untreated bamboo laminates. The wood failures ranged from 8 % to 28 % in dry

condition test and 2 to 4% in wet condition. The results also showed the bamboo

laminates surpass the requirement of the British Standard: Part 8: Specification for Bond

Performance of Veneer Plywood.

Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains

KEBERKESANAN BAHAN PENGAWETAN PILIHAN TERHADAP BILAH DAN LAMINASI BULUH SEMANTAN (Gigantochloa scortechinii)

Oleh

ROZIELA HANIM ALAMJURI

Mei 2008

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Pengerusi : Profesor Madya Zaidon Ashaari, PhD Fakulti : Perhutanan

Buluh boleh menjadi bahan mentah alternative selain kayu untuk produk laminasi.

Seperti kayu, buluh tidak mempunyai ketahanan yang tinggi terhadap serangan kulat

serta anai-anai. Oleh yang demikian, adalah perlu merawat buluh untuk meningkatkan

tahap ketahanan terhadap kulat serta anai-anai. Rawatan kimia adalah kaedah yang

efektif dalam merawat buluh dan pemilihan bahan awet dan kadar kepekatan bahan

awet akan pengaruhi keberkesanan rawatan. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menilai

keberkesanan bahan awet dan ke atas bilah dan laminasi buluh (Gigantochloa

scortechinii) terhadap serangan kulat dan anai-anai. Ciri kekuatan dan kualiti rekatan

laminasi turut dikaji. Bahan awet yang diguna dalam ujikaji ini adalah campuran

pyrethroid didalan bahan awet beasaskan larutan organik ringan (LOSP) (a.i tributyltin

naphthenate (3.5%), permethrin (0.2%)), pengawet berasaskan air (WBP) (a.i disodium

octaborate (10%), benzalkonium chloride (2%), permethrin (0.2%), tributyltin-oxide

(TBTO, 1%) dan borax (5% w/v). Bilah buluh, 150 mm x 20 mm x 4 mm tanpa

epidermis dirawat menggunakan kaedah tekanan vakum. Bilah buluh tanpa rawatan

serta rawatan merebus didalam air digunakan sebagai kawalan. Bilah buluh yang telah

dirawat diuji untuk melihat perubahan warna selepas rawatan, ciri kekuatan (lenturan)

dan ketahanan terhadap serangan kulat pereput putih (Pycnophorous sanguineus Wulfex

Fries) dan anai-anai (Coptotermus curvignathus Holmgren). Untuk laminasi buluh phenol

formaldehyde (PF) digunakan sebagai perekat. Laminasi buluh diuji untuk melihat

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kualiti rekatan termasuk kemampuan menampan alkali dan asid, sudut persentuhan,

kekuatan ricih dan kegagalan kayu. Ketahanan laminasi buluh juga di uji terhadap

serangan kulat pereput putih dan anai-anai.

Semua rawatan didapati mengubah warna bilah buluh menjadi lebih cerah dimana

index perubahan warna (∆E) adalah pada kadar 2.68 to 11.7 dan kadar keputihan (W)

adalah 0.67% – 8.46%. Bilah buluh yang dirawat menggunakan TBTO menpunyai index

perubahan warna (∆E) (9.29) manakala rawatan menggunakan WBP memberikan kadar

keputihan (8.46%) tertinggi.

Ketahanan bilah dan laminasi buluh terhadap serangan kulat pereput putih dan anai-

anai dinilai berdasarkan kehilangan berat selepas didedahkan kepada agen perosak.

Keputusan menunjukkan semuan rawatan menggunakan bahan awet meningkatkan

kadar tahap ketahanan bilah dan laminasi buluh berbanding kekurangan berat bilah

(17.6%) dan laminasi (22.9%) tanpa rawatan. Rawatan merebus didalam air selama 30

minit, mengurangkan tahap ketahanan terhadap serangan kulat pereput putih. Nilai

kehilangan berat untuk bilah adalah 21.8% dan 22.4% untuk laminasi buluh. Rawatan

menggunakan TBTO meningkatkan ketahanan 10.7% untuk bilah buluh dan 9.71%

untuk laminasi buluh jika dibandingkan dengan bahan awet yang lain.

Keputusan juga menunjukkan laminasi buluh mempunyai ketahanan yang lebih tinggi

dari bilah buluh selepas didedahkan terhadap anai-anai. Peningkatan tahap ketahanan

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untuk laminasi buluh adalah 62.5% dan 72.9% untuk bilah buluh. Semua rawatan kimia

didapati mengurangkan kehilang berat jika dibandingkan dengan dengan buluh tanpa

rawatan dan rawatan merebus didalam air. Diantara bahan awet, WBP memberikan

ketahanan paling tinggi terhadap serangan anai-anai, manakala rawatan menggunakan

borax memberikan ketahanan paling sedikit terhadap bilah buluh. Rawatan

menggunakan TBTO pula memberikan ketahanan paling tinggi dan rawatan

menggunakan borax pula memberikan ketahanan yang paling sedikit terhadap

laminasi buluh.

Ujikaji terhadap kelenturan bilah buluh selepas rawatan menunjukkan nilai modulus

kepecahan (MOR) dan nilai modulus kelenturan (MOE) sedikit berkurang.

Pengurangan nilai MOR adalah berkadar 1.22% - 19.6% manakala dalam MOE adalah

1.3% - 18.2%. Bilah yang dirawat menggunakan LOSP memberikan kesan yang paling

buruk terhadap MOE dan MOR. Kekuatan dan sifat kekakuan bilah buluh yang

dirawat menggunakan LOSP dan merebus nyata berkurangan selepas bilah dirawat.

Sifat kekuatan ricih dan kegagalan kayu laminasi buluh dinilai menggunakan ujian

kering (DT) dan basah (CBR). Dalam keadaan ujian basah, laminasi buluh didedahkan

dengan merebus serta merendam blok ujikaji didalam air sejuk secara berulang. Dalam

keadaan ujian kering, kecuali rawatan menggunakan borax, kekuatan ricih bagi

kesemua rawatan adalah menurun. Kekuatan ricih adalah berkadar 0.64 Nmm-2 - 2.04

Nmm-2 dibandingkan dengan 2.66 Nmm-2 bagi laminasi tanpa rawatan. Situasi yang

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sama berlaku dalam ujian keadaan basah. Kekuatan ricih laminasi buluh menurun

untuk semua rawatan dan berkadar 0.48 Nmm-2 – 0.65 Nmm-2 jika dibandingkan 0.78

Nmm-2 bagi laminasi tanpa rawatan. Kegagalan kayu tidak memberi kesan yang bererti

jika dibandingkan dengan bilah yang tidak dirawat. Peratus kegagalan kayu berkadar 8

% - 28 % dalam ujian keadaan kering dan 2 – 4% untuk ujian dalam keadan basah.

Secara keseluruhan, laminasi buluh ini adalah menepati piawaian dalam British

Standard:Bahagian 8: Spesifikasi untuk kekuatan lekatan papan lapis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my appreciation to my main supervisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zaidon

Ashaari for his guidence, patience, usefull comments, suggestions and critics

throughout this projects. My gratitude also goes to Dr. Faizah Abood and Dr. Fauzi

Febrianto for guidence and assistance.

Special thanks to Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) ; to Mr. Mohd. Khairun

Anwar, Mr. Tamizi, Mr. Rahim Ahmad and. Also special thanks to Malayan Adhesive

and Chemicals Sdn. Bhd. especially Dr. Nor Yuziah for assistance and support.

Last but not least, my deepest gratitude and love to my father (Alamjuri Buhuri), my

mother (Maznah Johan), my siblings Rizalmie, Roziana Linawati and Rozali Norhisyam

for their prayers, support, inspiration and encouragement to me all along this journey.

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Finally, I would like to express my many thanks to who helped me to complete this

study as well as my friends especially Sabiha Salim, Syeed Saifulazry, Norhairul Nizam,

Khairun Anwar and Mohd. Suhaimi Sulaiman for their moral support and most of all

their invaluable friendship and always ready to listen and extend to helping hands in

whatever and whenever need is necessary.

I certify that the Examination Committee met on 5 May 2008 to conduct the final examination of Roziela Hanim bt. Alamjuri on her Master of Science thesis entitiled “ Efficacy of Some Preservatives on Bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii) Strips and Laminates” in accordance with Universiti Putra Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulations 1981. The committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relavent degree. Member of the Examination Committee are as follows: ………………………, Ph.D Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) ………………………., Ph.D Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner) ………………………., Ph.D Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Internal Examiner)

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__________________________________ HASANAH MOHD GHAZALI, PhD Professer/Deputy Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee are as follow: Zaidon Ashaari, Ph. D. Associate Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Faizah Abood Haris, Ph. D Faculty of Forestry University Putra Malaysia (Member)

______________________________ AINI IDERIS, PhD Professor/Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date:

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quatations and citations, which have been duty acknowledge. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other instituitions.

________________________________ ROZIELA HANIM BT. ALAMJURI

Date:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ABSTRACT iii ABSTRAK vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT xi APPROVAL xii DECRALATION xiv TABLE OF CONTENT xv LIST OF TABLES xviii LIST OF FIGURES xx LIST OF PLATES xxi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 II LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Bamboo 2.1 2.2 Scenario of wood supply and demand in Malaysia 2.8 2.3 Alternative resources 2.10 2.4 Bamboo in Malaysia 2.16 2.5 Properties of bamboo 2.21 2.5.1 Anatomical Structure 2.21 2.5.2 Mechanical Properties 2.23 2.5.3 Chemicals properties 2.27 2.5.4 Durability of Bamboo 2.29 2.5.4.1 Termite (Coptotermes curvignathus) 2.30 2.5.4.2 White Rot Fungus (Pycnoporus sanguineus) 2.33 2.5.5 Treatability of Bamboo 2.34

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2.6 Preservation of Bamboo 2.36 2.6.1 Pyrethroids based preservatives 2.38 2.6.2 Tributyltin oxide (TBTO) 2.41 2.6.3 Boron Compound 2.42 2.6.4 Method of preservation 2.43 2.7 Laminated bamboo products 2.44 2.7.1 Bonding quality 2.44 2.7.2 Contact Angle 2.45 2.7.3 Buffering Capacity 2.46 2.7.4 Adhesive 2.47

III MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 Raw Material 3.1 3.2 Preparation of Samples 3.3 3.3 Treatment of Bamboo Strips 3.6 3.4 Boiling of Bamboo in Water 3.7 3.5 Colour Evaluation 3.8 3.6 Resistance of Treated Bamboo Strips and Laminates to Termite (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren) Attack. 3.9 3.6.1 Collection of Termite 3.9 3.6.2 Preparation of Testing Blocks 3.10 3.6.3 Preparation of Sand 3.11 3.6.4 Termite Resistance Test 3.12 3.7 Resistance of Treated Bamboo Strips and Laminates to White Rot (Pycnophorous sanguineus ) 3.14 3.7.1 Preparation of Culture Media 3.14 3.7.2 Preparation of Soil Substrate 3.15 3.7.3 Sample Preparation 3.15 3.7.4 Determination of Soil Water Holding Capacity 3.16 3.7.5 Preparation of Soil Culture Bottle 3.17 3.8 Evaluation of Bonding Properties 3.19 3.8.1 Contact Angle 3.20 3.8.2 Buffering Capacity 3.21 3.8.3 Formation of Bamboo Sheet 3.22 3.8.4 Fabricating Bamboo Laminate 3.22 3.8.5 Cold and Hot Press 3.24 3.9 Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Strips 3.24 3.9.1 Evaluation of Static Bending 3.25 3.9.2 Evaluation of Shear Strength and Wood Failure of Bamboo Laminates 3.26

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3.10 Statistical Analysis 3.28

IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Colour Properties 4.1 4.2 Evaluation on Chemical Retention 4.4 4.3 Modulus of rupture (MOR) and Modulus of elasticity (MOE) 4.11

4.4 Efficacy of Chemical Treatments on Bamboo Strips towards Termite(Coptotermes curvignathus) Attack 4.11

4.4.1 Resistance of bamboo strips and laminates after treatment with chemicals against termite (Coptotermes curvignathus) 4.14

4.5 Efficacy of Chemical Treatments on Bamboo

Strips toward Fungal Pycnoporous sanguineus) Attack 4.22

4.6 Bonding Evaluation of Ply-bamboo 4.27 4.6.1 Contact Angle 4.28 4.6.2 Buffering Capacity 4.31

4.7 Shear Strength and Bamboo Failure 4.33 V CONCLUSION

REFERENCES R.1 APPENDICES A.1 BIODATA OF THE AUTHOR B.1

xvi

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page 2.1 Various useful applications of bamboo at different ages. Source: Adam( 2003) 2.4 2.2 Panels commercialized and ready for commercialization. Source: Ganaphaty et al. (1999) 2.7 2.3 Advantages and disadvantages of bamboo and some construction materials. Source: Katleen (2005) 2.15 2.4 Bamboo distribution in North-West of Peninsular Malaysia. Source: Abd. Latif and Razak Othman (1991) 2.17 2.5 Distribution, culm characteristic and usable culm length of bamboo species suitable for the production of parquet and laminates. Source: Abd. Latif and Razak (1991) 2.18 2.6 Commercially utilized bamboos in Malaysia.Source: Poh (1994) 2.19 2.7 Comparative of strength and stiffness of building materials Source: Janssen (1980) 2.25 2.8 Comparison of mechanical performance of common bamboo and matter material (Average). Source Yang and Zhang (1991) 2.25 2.9 Strength of Bamboo Compared to Selected Timber Species. Source: Jennsen (1980) 2.26

2.10 Chemical Composition of some bamboos. Source: Tamolang et al (1980) 2.28

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2.11 Types of synthetic pyrethroids. Source: Anonymous (2005) 2.40 2.12 Characteristics of the resin. Source: Malayan Adhesive and Chemical (MAC) Sdn. Bhd (2004). 2.48 3.1 Chemical composition in preservatives used in this study. 3.3 3.2 Block evaluation. Source: ASTM (1986) 3.13 3.3 Termite mortality rating. Source: ASTM (1986) 3.14 3.4 Characteristics of PF resin. Source: Malayan Adhesive and Chemical (MAC) Sdn. Bhd (2004) 3.24 3.5 Mixing Formulation for PF Adhesive. Source: MAC (2004) 3.24 3.6 Requirement for Shear Strength and Wood Failure. Source: British Standard (1986) 3.27 4.1 Colour changes of bamboo strips after treated with different chemicals determined using Colorimeter. 4.1 4.2 Mean dry salt retentions in bamboo strips after treated with different chemicals. 4.3 4.3 Mean values for MOR and MOE of untreated and treated bamboo strips 4.8 4.4 General observation of termite (Coptotermus curvignathus) activity during the test period. 4.12 4.5 Mean weight loss of sample blocks of untreated and treated bamboo strips and laminates after 4 weeks of exposure Coptotermes curvignathus. 4.15 4.6 Mean weight loss of untreated and treated bamboo strips and laminates after exposure to Pycnoporous sanguineus. 4.22 4.7 Contact angle (°) on the outer layer and inner layer surface of G. scortechinii strips determined using AB Lorentzen and Watter (L-W) surface wettability tester and distilled water. 4.29

xviii

4.8 Mean shear strength, bamboo failure and shear strength reduction percentage of bamboo chemically treated as compared to British Standard (Anonymous, 1986) 4.34

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page 2.1 Export from China by origin, 2002 (Jin, 2003) 2.6 3.1 Experimental design of the study 3.5 3.4 Vacuum Impregnation Apparatus 3.6 4.1: Percent change of ∆E and W of treated strips as compared to untreated after treatments 4.2 4.2 Variation of pH with respects to addition of acid 4.32 4.3 Variation of pH with respects to addition of alkali 4.33 4.4 Shear reduction of treated bamboo laminate calculated against untreated laminates. 4.35

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LIST OF PLATES

Plate Page 2.1 Gigantochloa scortechinii clumps 2.20 2.2 Nodal Morphology 2.22 3.1 Gigantochloa scortechinii culms 3.2 3.2 Splitter Knife 3.4 3.3 Single face planning machine 3.5 3.4 Vacuum Impregnation Apparatus 3.7 3.5 Trunk of kedondong covered with mud indicates the presence of termites 3.11 3.6 Termite (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren), a) Soldier b) Worker 3.11 3.7 White rot (Pycnoporous sanguineus) 3.15 3.8 (a) Fungus inoculum (b) Innoculating fungus in a petri dish filled with malt agar (c) Testing blocks in a culture bottles. 3.19 3.9 The AB Lorentzen and Watter (L-W) surface wettability tester. 3.21 3.10 Shear Test. 3.27 4.1 Sample covered by sand as antagonizing with preservatives. 4.13 4.2 Inner part of bamboo strips is severely attacked by Coptotermes

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curvignathus. 4.18 4.3 Typical ratings on termite damaged at inner part of the test blocks following rating value specific in ASTM standard (ASTM, 1986). 4.20 4.4 Droplet of distilled water on bamboo strip surface which is treated with LOSP at 1 second. 4.31 4.5 Typical bamboo failure of G. scortechinii. 4.37

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Bamboo is a fast growing monocotyledon plant belonging to the Graminae

family and Bambusiodae subfamily. It consists about 700 species and are found

in Asia (Liese, 1985). In contrast, other estimates bamboo diversity vary from

about 45 – 50 genera with 300 – 750 species (Dransfield and Uchimura, 1980). In

Malaysia, Wong (1995) reported that there are 59 bamboo species representing

14 genera. Out of these, 34 species are indigenous and the others are introduced

or only known through cultivation.

Due to its fast growing ability and availability, attractive and unique

appearances, bamboo species such as Gigantochloa scortechinii and G. wrayi was

intensively used in the cottage industry for making products like poultry cage,

vegetable basket, handicraft items, joss paper, incense stick, skewer and

chopsticks (Azmy and Razak, 1991; Aminuddin, 1995). In Indonesia, bamboo

were converted into a form of sheet by weaving bamboo into mat, which then

can be served as a part of hut compartments such as wall, ceiling and ground

coverings (Larasati, 1999).

1.1

Anwar et al. (2005), reported that bamboo such as G. scortechinii are suitable for

composite materials, laminated boards and plywood. The properties of plywood

made from G. scortechinii are extremely high in modulus of rupture, bending

strength and modulus of elasticity. The ply-bamboo strength ranks as the

highest among all the structural boards and even as good as the solid wood of

high-density commercial timber (Chen et al., 1985).

At present, rubberwood is the most abundant material for particleboard

manufactured in Malaysia (Jalil, 2002). However, due to the scarcity of these

resources, development of other materials such as bamboo should be explored

to overcome this problem. Bamboo, as a fast growing renewable material with a

simple production process, is expected to be a sustainable alternative for more

conventional materials like concrete, steel and timber (Lugt et. al, 2003). In fact,

Anonymous (2002), Kries (2000) recognized bamboo as a very sustainable

material.

Gigantochloa scortechinii, known as Buluh Semantan is well known and

established in the Malaysian community. It was widely used for traditional uses

such as water pipes, poles, flooring, and handicrafts. In the 1980’s, due to the

dwindling supply of wood in the tropics the interest in bamboo as wood

material has been getting greater attention. It emerged as the most potential non

timber forest product to substitute wood as a raw material. Besides, bamboo

1.2

composites have gained popularity in Japan and China (Tang, 1996) and it is

widely recognized in panel form and ideal compared to wood.

Bamboo has similar morphological properties with wood and one of the fastest

growing species (Ray, 2005). Its growth rate depends on species and generally

matures quickly (Aminuddin and Abd. Latif, 1991). Bamboo is a highly

renewable resource which may have 40 – 50 stems in one clump, which adds up

to 10 to 20 culms yearly. However, the low durability of bamboo makes it render

highly susceptible to fungi, insect and other deterioration agents. According to

durability classification (Anonymous, 1982), bamboos fall in class III (non-

durable category) with little variation in durability among different species. The

starch content in bamboo plays an important role in its durability and service

life. Abd. Latif et. al, (1993) found that the durability of bamboo against

deterioration agents is strongly associated with the chemical composition.

Fresh felled bamboo must be treated, although the development of stain can be

avoided by rapid drying (Richardson, 1993). In fact, even in kiln drying there is

a threat that stain will develop before the moisture content is significantly

reduced. Bamboo can be treated either by non-chemical or chemical methods.

Non–chemical methods include soaking, smoking and boiling (Zaidon et al.,

2000). Chemical treatment which includes brushing, spraying, butt-treatment,

sap displacement method, vacuum, hot and cold bath, and by full or empty cell

1.3