Quick Material Directory
Materials Library
In everything product design and development, we look into all various materials to find the best and most appropriate one to encounter that particular problem we are trying to solve; hence learning the essence of each of these materials is critical and will help guide you through the assessment and selection.
BAMBOO
Material Characteristics
Bamboo is not a wood but a type of grass. This material is extracted from very fast-growing plants. The bamboo plant is known to grow around 20-30 inches in a day under optimum conditions. Hence the material is efficiently available and can be procured quickly. Bamboo is a good alternative to wood, although not the same but can be given a similar look and used in similar applications.
The material itself has all properties that are attributed to wood. It is very strong and lightweight. Bamboo also has the added trait of being resistant to moisture once dried. The bamboo plant consists of very long hollow stems that can be directly cut and dried for use. There are fewer branches to remove and processing is relatively simpler. Bamboo also reacts well to gluing and is stable. The correct bamboo species has to be selected for optimum results because the properties vary greatly. Bamboo has a density similar to that of oak wood and does not shrink or swell much once it is dried.
Common Applications
Bamboo is used in a large variety of applications. Standard uses are similar to wood for making furniture, cabinets, etc. It is also used extensively in construction frameworks and as fuel for heating and burning. Since bamboo grows quickly it is also relatively cheap and cost-effective. Bamboo is used in musical instruments and writing instruments like calligraphy pens and brushes. Furthermore, bamboo can also be converted into paper-like wood and can be converted into thread-like fibers and made into the fabric of various types. Other uses of bamboo include fishing rods, boats, weapons, and culinary respite.
Manufacturing/Processing
Bamboo is extracted from bamboo grass. The stems are cut down and dried at the spot. This is relatively easier as compared to the processing of wood since the stems are hollow and thinner, they do not have to be sawed and logged. The dried stems are then processed which includes removing knots. The Bamboo stem grows in segments and the junctions are thickened which have to be removed which is done via knot removal. After that, the stems are cut and sliced into various shapes according to need. The cut pieces are planned and made smooth. After this, the bamboo is glued to form large sheets or planes which can then be used for making various products.