Researchers Develop Sustainable Biocomposite Material from Bamboo Fibers and Silicone Rubber
In a new study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, researchers have created a biocomposite material that combines bamboo cellulosic fibers with silicone rubber. The goal was to develop a more sustainable alternative to traditional composite materials made with synthetic fibers like carbon, glass, and aramid.
The researchers investigated the compressive properties and hyperelastic behavior of the bamboo fiber-reinforced silicone rubber biocomposite. They found that adding the bamboo cellulosic fibers significantly improved the compressive strength and stiffness of the silicone rubber.
"Silicone rubber is a soft material with low mechanical properties, but we've shown that adding bamboo fibers can enhance those properties," said lead author Siti Humairah Kamarul Bahrain from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Malaysia.
The team also tested the biocomposite after it was immersed in seawater. Interestingly, the compressive strength increased even further, up to 83.16 kPa, compared to 79.8 kPa for the non-seawater samples.
Using hyperelastic models, the researchers determined that the Mooney-Rivlin model provided the best fit to describe the nonlinear stress-strain behavior of the biocomposite under compression. The material constants derived from this model indicated that the seawater-immersed samples had higher stiffness.
"This study shows that bamboo cellulosic fibers are a promising sustainable reinforcement that can improve the mechanical performance of silicone rubber. The added seawater resistance also makes this biocomposite an interesting candidate for marine and offshore applications," commented co-author Rusziana Ahmad Ilyas from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
With growing concerns over the environmental impact of synthetic composites, these biodegradable bamboo fiber-reinforced silicone rubber biocomposites offer an eco-friendly alternative that maintains desirable mechanical properties.