Potential of bamboo organosolv pulp as a reinforcing element in fiber-cement materials

The potential application of bamboo organosolv pulp as a reinforcement agent in cementitious matrices was evaluated in the present experimental work. Composites with contents of bamboo pulp of 6%, 8%, 10% and 12% were tested. The composites containing 8% pulp were subjected to accelerated aging via 50, 100 and 200 aging cycles. The properties of the composites were modified after the aging cycles while considering the porosity refining due to matrix densification, which consequently improved the mechanical properties. The results indicated that the composites reinforced with bamboo organosolv pulp showed promising behavior, which was preserved in the Portland cement environment after aging. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.