The thermal decomposition studies of solid iron bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) – potential precursor for eco-materials

Block samples of carbonized solid iron bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) – unique genus among bamboos, were prepared by means of slow pyrolysis. They are expected to be promising monolithic supports for various composites. The purpose of this study is to describe the thermal decomposition of rectangular shapes cut from solid stems of Dendrocalamus strictus, raw and pre-charred in a wide range of temperatures: 300, 350, 400, 500 and 600 °C. The DTG thermograms of carbonized solid iron bamboo (char), determined at temperatures up to 900 °C, exhibited minima even for samples previously pyrolysed at temperatures over 400 °C, at which decomposition of plant material have to be completed. For pre-charred samples, the temperature of the DTG peaks increased, while the weight loss registered in the temperature range up to 900 °C decreased, with increasing temperature of carbonization. It was found that extension of time of holding at final temperature of carbonization decreased a height of the DTG peaks to full reduction of it after heating along the time of 8 h. It was suggested that bamboo tar remaining in vessels after carbonization reacts with the bamboo char creating new compounds that decompose in distinctly higher temperatures.