Abstract
The current studies aim to measure the mechanical strength based on age, harvesting season and bamboo species in Ethiopia. The bamboo fibres are extracted using a roll milling machine, which was developed by the author. The age groups (1, 2 and 3 years), harvesting months (February and November), and bamboo species (Yushania alpina and Bambusa oldhamii) are the parameters of the current research studies. Prepregs and composites were produced from bamboo fibres and polypropylene. The mechanical properties of bamboo fibres and their composites in Ethiopia have not been investigated by researchers for the composite application so far. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, and impact strength of injibara (Y. alpina) bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites from the ages of 1- 3 years old in November is 111 +/- 9-125 +/- 8 MPa, 15 +/- 0.9-25 +/- 0.72 GPa, and 47 +/- 5 KJ/m(2)-57 +/- 6 KJ/m(2), whereas, in February, it is 86 +/- 3.86-116 +/- 10 MPa, 11 +/- 0.71-23 +/- 1.5 GPa, and 34 +/- 4-52 +/- 6 KJ/m(2), respectively. Moreover, Kombolcha (B. oldhamii), bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites in November are 93 +/- 7-111 +/- 8 MPa, 7 +/- 0.51-17 +/- 2.56 GPa, and 39 +/- 4-44 +/- 5 KJ/m(2), whereas, in February, it is 60 +/- 5-104 +/- 10 MPa, 12 +/- 0.95-14 +/- 0.92 GPa, and 26 +/- 3 KJ/m(2)-38 +/- 4 KJ/m(2), respectively. Furthermore, Mekaneselam (Y. alpina) bamboo fibres reinforced PP composites in November are 99 +/- 8-120 +/- 11 MPa, 9 +/- 0.82-16 +/- 1.85 GPa, and 37 +/- 4 KJ/m(2)-46 +/- 5 KJ/m(2), whereas, in February, it is 91 +/- 8-110 +/- 9 MPa, 8 +/- 0.75-14 +/- 1.86 GPa, and 34 +/- 3 KJ/m(2)-40 +/- 4 KJ/m(2), respectively. At two years, November and Injibara bamboo have recorded the highest mechanical properties in the current research studies. Bamboo fiber strength in Ethiopia is comparable to the previous study of bamboo fibres and glass fibres used for composite materials in the automotive industry.