Structural and mechanical properties of bamboo fiber bundle and fiber/bundle reinforced composites: a review

Bamboo fiber has attracted a lot of interest due to its high specific strength and renewability. Unidirectional long bamboo fiber reinforcing is essential to fully realize its strength. The reinforcing efficiency can also be affected by the physical and chemical structure of bamboo fibers. Therefore, this study reviews the cell wall structure of the bamboo fiber. The alternately arranged structure with thin and thick layers contributes substantially to the mechanical strength of the bamboo fiber. In addition, this study evaluates the mechanical properties, water absorption, and flame retardancy of polymeric and cementitious composites reinforced with long bamboo fibers. Thermoset polymer-based bamboo fiber composites typically show higher mechanical strength than thermoplastic-based fiber composites. Chemical treatment and flame retardant can significantly enhance the hydrophobicity and flame retardancy of fiber composites, respectively. Because of its superior interface performance, the short bamboo fiber has a greater reinforcing effect in cement mortar than in concrete. This study can serve as a reference for further investigations on bamboo fiber/bundle reinforced composites and promote their applications.