@spot_material
hello@spotmaterial.com
Bamboo
0.5-3 usd/kg
Bamboo is classified as a type of grass and its stem is converted into timber products, paper, fibres and textiles. In addition, the woody tissue, like that of tree trunks, provides the feedstock for cellulose based plastics and fibres, such as viscose and cellulose acetate (CA). It grows around the world in a variety of climates, from cold mountainous regions to tropical areas, and is available from sustainably managed sources. It’s speed of growth and ease of harvesting means it can be very cost-effective.
Bamboo contains many of the same ingredients as wood: it is a natural composite made up of polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose) and lignin. However, bamboo grows differently, with a denser packing of the cellulose fibres towards the outside of its hollow stem. This naturally optimised structure is far more efficient in terms of strength-to-weight than a solid rod-like tree trunk. This allows bamboo to grow very fast, while remaining lightweight and resistant to wind and other natural forces. It is suitable for structural uses after 3-5 years of growth.
The drawbacks of bamboo, other than natural variation, are its vulnerability to water absorption and decay. Bamboo is perishable and will last only a short time outdoors without suitable treatment. Additionally, the rich starch content provides a source of food for insects and fungus. To counter this, bamboo is impregnated with chemicals, which affects its sustainability.
Log in to search similar materials
Log in to find better material
Sustainability concerns
Non-renewable ingredients
Raw material generates polluting by-products
Low circularity potential
Potentially toxic in use
The variation in age and species, through thickness difference (the stem is strongest towards the perimeter), and tubular structure of bamboo all mean it cannot be treated quite like solid timber. Sliced and laminated bamboo veneer, to make structural bamboo products (SBP), gives more consistent properties. Known by trade names – such as laminated bamboo lumber (LBL), glued laminated bamboo (glubam) and parallel strand bamboo (PSB) – strips or veneers are bonded together with adhesive under high pressure. A range of adhesives are suitable, but urea formaldehyde (UF) and phenol formaldehyde (PF) are the most common. The use of these types of adhesive has an impact on sustainability and they off-gas formaldehyde which affects air quality. PF is the better of the two. No added formaldehyde (NAF) means an alternative binder has been used, such as polyurethane resin (PUR) or soy-based resin. The disadvantage of PUR is that it off-gasses methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). Isocyanates are also hazardous and negatively affect indoor air quality. It is not considered as harmful as formaldehyde, but not much of an improvement, either.
Laminated and structural bamboo products are used in the production of household items, toys, packaging and furniture. It is used as a worktop, countertop, kitchen counter and architectural surface material for indoor applications. They are suitable for larger scale application, too, from interiors to construction projects.
