Physical and mechanical properties of bamboo-silicone biocomposites (BaSiCs)

Abstract

Silicone rubber biocomposites were prepared with 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% bamboo fiber as reinforcement. The compressive set behavior of the samples was compared between the samples that were tested before and after immersion in water. The compression set values for the samples that were immersed in the water were lower than the samples that were not immersed in the water. The moisture absorption rate of the bamboo-silicone biocomposites (BaSiCs) increased as the bamboo fiber content increased. As the bamboo fiber content in the BaSiCs increased, the impact energy and the deflection at peak load values decreased and increased, respectively. The results from this study showed that the addition of bamboo fiber into silicone rubber composites can substantially affect its compressive strength, moisture absorption, and impact strength. This study provided essential knowledge to the development of BaSiCs for cushioning applications, such as shoe insoles.