Effect of coupling agents on the properties of bamboo fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites

Abstract In this study, biocomposites were prepared by using an unsaturated polyester and Luong bamboo fibers (BFs). Fibers separated from bamboo body by mechanical method had size distribution mainly between 0.24 and 0.40 mm diameter and 1–2.5 cm length. Some factors having effect on properties of materials, such as fiber content, type, and concentration of coupling agents were also studied. As a result, composite materials showed good properties at 90 phr of BFs that were modified by 0.7% vinyl-functional silane coupling agent. Keywords: bamboo fibercompositeunsaturated polyestercoupling agent Acknowledgements This study is financially supported by a grant from the Department of Material Science, Ho Chi Minh University of Science, Vietnam. We thank all participants for their enthusiasm and cooperation in the study.