Study of Bamboo Fibre as a Natural Reinforcement for Epoxy Composites: Mechanical and Water Absorption Behaviour

This study investigates the use of bamboo fibre extracted from Bambusa vulgaris species abundant in Ondo State, South West Nigeria, as a natural reinforcement in epoxy resin composites. Interest in natural fibre composites has grown globally as sustainable alternatives to glass and carbon fibre reinforced plastics, and Nigeria's extensive bamboo resources represent an under-exploited raw material base for composite fabrication. Bamboo stems are harvested, processed into fibres through mechanical extraction and alkali treatment with 5 percent NaOH solution, and characterised for morphology, tensile properties, and surface chemistry using SEM and FTIR. Epoxy composites are fabricated with fibre volume fractions of 10, 20, 30, and 40 percent using hand lay-up. Specimens are tested for tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and water absorption after 24 and 72 hours of immersion. Alkali treatment is shown to improve fibre-matrix interfacial bonding by removing surface wax and hemicellulose layers. Mechanical performance peaks at 30 percent fibre content, with flexural strength reaching 78 MPa. Water absorption increases with fibre content, with 40 percent fibre specimens exhibiting swelling and delamination after prolonged immersion. The study recommends the combination of alkali treatment with silane coupling agent application to enhance moisture resistance and maintain the mechanical advantage of bamboo-reinforced composites. Keywords: bamboo fibre, epoxy composite, natural reinforcement, mechanical properties, water absorption.