Structural bamboo composites: A review of processing, factors affecting properties and recent advances

Bamboo is a widely available bio-resource that is considered as a sustainable and eco-friendly raw material for fabricating composites that could replace timber and timber-based products. Several structural bamboo composites (SBCs) have been developed as a sustainable alternative to traditional load-bearing materials in different applications. These composites utilise bamboo in its converted forms viz., strips or strands, bonded with structural grade polymeric adhesives, and compacted and cured under pressure and at high temperature, forming thick panels or beams with standardized cross-sections. With recent advances in processing technologies, several interventions have been undertaken to improve the production efficiency and overall properties and performance of SBCs. While the properties of these composites are comparable or even better than those of commonly used wood and wood-based mass timber products, their performance is strongly influenced by the different processing parameters used in their fabrication. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the recent literature about the production process of SBCs and their physico-mechanical and other properties, factors affecting these quality parameters and current developments in processing technologies. It also examines potential applications and the future scope of research work in this area.