Studies on water absorption of bamboo‐epoxy composites: Effect of silane treatment of mercerized bamboo

Abstract The effect of silane treatment on the water absorption properties of bamboo matting reinforced epoxy composites were investigated. Experiments using γ‐aminopropyltriethoxy silane, 3‐trimethoxysilylpropylmethacrylate, vinyltris(2‐methoxyethoxy)silane, bis[3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide, 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and n‐octyltrimethoxysilane were carried out to improve the water resistant property of the bamboo fiber composites. Water absorption in the composites was studied by long term immersion and 2 h boiling in distilled water. The process of absorption of water was found to follow the kinetics and mechanism described by Fick's theory. Alkali treatment results in reduction of water absorption from 41 to 26%. Further reduction is observed with silane treatment. Water absorption varies between 21 and 24%, minimum being for aminopropyltriethoxysilane treated composite. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010