Impact Properties of Water TreatedBamboo/Unsaturated Polyester Composites

This study examined the influence of period of water treatment on the impact toughness bamboo/unsaturated polyester composites. Four types of composites were produced in various period of water treatment during fibre preparation (untreated, 1, 2, 3 hours). The continuous fibres were then mixed with unsaturated polyester by hand lay- up process. Each produced composites were cut to form a rectangular shape with dimensions 80 x 10 x 4 mm. The impact test was then conducted as per ISO 179. It is observed that the highest impact toughness was achieved by 1 h water treated composite. Water treatment in 2 and 3 h resulted in higher impact strength than that of untreated composite but lower than that of 1 h water treated composite.