Effects of vascular fiber content on abrasive wear of bamboo

Natural biomaterials have unique structures and some distinguishing properties for adapting themselves to natural surroundings. Bamboo is a natural composite reinforced with longitudinal fibers (vascular fibers). The abrasive wear property of the cross section of bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) stem was examined. The abrasive material used for tests was the mixture of quartz sand (96.5 wt.%) and powdered bentonite (3.5 wt.%) and contained a water content of 3 wt.%, simulating soil condition The size of the quartz sand particles was 0.104–0.214 mm, 0.214–0.420 mm and 0.420–0.840 mm, respectively. The abrasive wear tests were run on a rotary disk type of abrasive wear testing machine. The relative sliding velocity was 1.68, 2.35 and 3.02 m/s, respectively. It was concluded that the abrasive wear resistance of the cross section of the bamboo stem was a function of the vascular fiber content of bamboo, the abrasive particle size and the relative sliding velocity. The wear resistance of bamboo was increased with its vascular fiber content. A higher sliding velocity or a larger abrasive particle size resulted in a higher abraded volume of bamboo. The effects of the tensile strength and the impact strength of bamboo on its abrasive wear were discussed. It was found by scanning electron microscopy that the geometric morphology of the abraded surfaces of the sections of bamboo stem displays a not-smooth structure. This not-smooth surface morphology provides a clue to develop anti-abrasion morphological surfaces of soil-engaging components.