Differences in physical–mechanical properties of bamboo scrimbers with response to bamboo maturing process

Bamboo scrimbers (BCs) with an optimal resin dosage of 11% were fabricated from Bambusa rigida bamboos with different ages, and their physical–mechanical properties were investigated to determine the proper bamboo age for producing BCs with excellent properties. The anatomical characteristics and physical–mechanical properties of original bamboo were also investigated from bamboo age two to five. The physical–mechanical properties of BCs were highly correlated with the bamboo maturing process regarding the maturing of bamboo fibers. The compressive strength (CS) and horizontal shear strength (HSS) of BCs that were prepared with the 4-year-old bamboo samples were the highest, i.e. 88.3 and 16.2 MPa for the CS and HSS, respectively. The minimum thickness swelling and width swelling (WS) of BCs were found in BCs fabricated from 3-year-old bamboo samples; and the maximum modulus of rapture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of BCs were observed in BCs prepared from 5-year-old bamboo. Considering all factors comprehensively, especially high performance in mechanical strength and water resistant properties of BCs, combined with the lower moisture content of mature green bamboo, the 4-year-old bamboo culms are recommended to be used as raw materials for the preparation of BCs.