ABSTRACT Synthetic fibers need to be replaced by natural fibers because of their aftermaths on environment. Bamboo is preferred because of its good mechanical properties, high availability, and fast renewability. This study aims to develop thin hybrid bamboo strip/glass fiber composite, which is greener and can be utilized as a material of secondary structures. Thin-woven bamboo strip (Gigantochloa scortechinii)/woven E-glass fiber/epoxy hybrid composites were developed and their mechanical properties were characterized. By hybridizing E-glass fiber into the bamboo composite, the mechanical properties of the produced hybrid composites are greatly improved. The improvements of tensile modulus, strength, and strain are up to 43.47 %, 345.83 %, and 26.82 %, respectively, whereas the improvements of shear modulus, strength, and strain are up to 39.85 %, 34.57 %, and 42 %, respectively. G/Bs performs better than B2/G2 because of its better interfacial adhesion, attributing to more hybrid interphases. Scanning electron microscope analysis clarifies the differences in interfacial bond of B/G interphase and B/B interphase. For flexural properties, G/Bs has 28.08 % better flexural modulus than B2/G2 but B2/G2 have 8.78 % and 134.73 % better flexural strength and strain than G/Bs, respectively. The position of fibers has different influences on the flexural performances of hybrid composites. Placement of fibers at their respective inherited advantage side improve the flexural strength and strain of the hybrid composites. Based on the results, it is determined that thin hybrid bamboo strip/glass fiber composites have potential to be developed as the material of secondary structures. This study provides valuable inputs to the researchers and engineers in selecting hybrid bamboo strip/glass fiber composites for secondary structures.
Ng et al. (Tue,) studied this question.