Preparation of crack-free, non-notched, flattened bamboo board and its physical and mechanical properties

Bamboo flattening technology can increase the utilization of bamboo, flattening half or third bamboo tube sections into flattened bamboo strips through steam softening, roller flattening and drying. Compared with earlier notched flattening technology, newer non-notched flattening technology does not incise or damage the culm inner surface. In this paper, we introduce a non-notched flattening method and assess the macro-and micro-mechanical properties of the flattened bamboo. Results showed that the parenchyma cells shrank and distorted and the hygroscopicity of bamboo decreased and the hygroscopicity of bamboo decreased due to the decomposition of hemicelluloses. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) and hardness were increased as a function of treatment temperature and time. The MOE increased by 25% and the hardness significantly increased by 34% after the flattening process due to the tissue densification and increased crystallinity index. The improved micromechanical properties of cell walls and increased density positively contributed to the macro-mechanical properties.