Effect of hydrothermal pretreatment on the properties of moso bamboo particles reinforced polyvinyl chloride composites

Bamboo plastic composites were fabricated from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and moso bamboo particles (BP). In order to improve the interfacial interaction between BP and PVC, as well as to obtain composites with outstanding mechanical properties, the roles of hydrothermal treating temperatures (120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260 and 280 °C) on characteristics of BP and properties of the PVC/BP composites were investigated. Results showed that hydrothermal modification improved the surface property of BP and wiped off hemicelluloses and pectin. A uniform dispersion of BP in PVC matrix was observed by SEM with hydrothermal treatment. Tensile strength, tensile modulus and flexural strength of the composites achieved their maximal values of 15.79 MPa, 6702.26 MPa and 39.57 MPa, respectively, with 180 °C hydrothermal treatment. The highest values of elongation at break and flexural deformation were 3.75 ± 0.20% with 200 °C hydrothermal modification and 36.22 ± 2.70% with 140 °C hydrothermal modification, respectively. Due to more decomposition of hemicellulose, the composites expressed lower water absorption and higher thermal stability when the hydrothermal treating temperature exceed 160 °C.