Bamboo Fibres
Botanical information
- Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) belongs to the true grass family of Poaceae.
- It is characterized as woody perennial plants that can be evergreen or deciduous.
- Bamboo predominantly thrives in Africa, America, and Asia but can also readily flourish in Europe.
- The cylindrical stems, called culms, usually have hollow spaces between their rings, forming branching clusters from a sturdy rhizome (underground stem).
Habitat and fibre production
- India owns the largest area and is the second-largest reserve of bamboo in the world.
- It is a tropical plant which grows mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions and is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world.
- Most bamboo species can grow and thrive in a wide range of soil types, except for rocky soils, and they tend to prefer well-drained soils, specifically sandy loamy, to clay loamy soils.
- The minimum annual rainfall required for bamboo is 775 mm and a rainfall of maximum of eight consecutive months with less than 40 mm.
- The most suitable pH range for healthy growth of plants is 5.0pH-6.5pH, but some species can also grow in highly acidic soils(3.5pH).
- Every bamboo plant can achieve a daily growth of up to 120cm, and this speedy development characterises it as a readily available, renewable resource in nature.
- Currently, the bamboo production around the world is about 3,00,000 tons.
Table 1. Physical & mechanical properties and chemical composition of areca nut fibres
Physical and Mechanical properties
Length
1-5mm
Diameter
14-27 μm
Tensile strength
1.43-1.69GPa
Elongation
4.3-9.7%
Chemical composition
Cellulose
74%
Hemicellulose
13%
Lignin
10%
Minor Components
3%
Features of the fibre
- It possesses biodegradable qualities, is cost-effective and eco-friendly, and exhibits natural antibacterial properties.
- It gives a soft, smooth feel and is easy to wash.
- It can take in diverse odours, dust, and other harmful substances, effectively purify the air, and regulate humidity.
- These natural fibres closely resemble ramie but are more delicate and have shorter lengths.
- Due to its hollow cross-section, it imparts breathability to bamboo fibre-based fabrics.
- The fabrics are easy to dye and apply finishes due to the fibre’s hygroscopicity and are also cool and comfortable to wear.
- Natural bamboo fibres possesses a significant moisture-absorbing capacity and prone to corrosion thus limiting the engineering applications.
- These fibres possess thermo-regulating properties and show less shrinkage, better wrinkle resistance, and higher dye affinity and lustre.
- It depicts better abrasion and pilling resistance in both wet and dry conditions.
Uses
- In textile applications, bamboo fibres are primarily sourced from the tallest bamboo species, which is commonly referred to as “Moso” and scientifically known as Phyllostachys edulis.
- Earlier, Chinese medicine used bamboo due to its antibacterial properties.
- Presently, bamboo finds extensive use among local artisans for crafting handicrafts, furniture, and kitchen utensils, as a material in the food and paper industries, in the production of laminated wood, and in various composite applications.
- Bamboo-based construction of houses and industrial buildings follows a path of sustainability.
