Research Articles

Bamboo can be engineered for laminate boards and other sustainable construction material. The adhesive type is expected to affect the laminated board’s quality. This study analyzed the physical (density, moisture content, and delamination) and mechanical (bending and shear strength) properties of betung (Dendrocalamus asper) bamboo laminated boards prepared using various adhesives. The most favorable adhesive for enhancing betung bamboo laminated boards was determined. The bamboo lamina was arranged into boards (3 layers) measuring 30 x 15 x 1.5 cm each in length, width, and thickness. The laminated board was glued using isocyanate, epoxy, and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesives using the double glue spread technique. The laminated board was tested for its physical and mechanical properties, following the JAS 234:2003 standard. Betung bamboo laminated board with isocyanate, epoxy, and PVAc adhesives had densities ranging from 0.89 g/cm³ to 0.95 g/cm³, moisture contents of 7.64% to 24.37%, delamination ranges from 0% to 100%, modulus of elasticities from 109,000 to 178,000 kg/cm², modulus of rupture values ​​range from 709 to 1,570 kg/cm², and shear strength values ​​of 25.0 to 60.0 kg/cm². Isocyanate adhesive was found to have the best quality in physical tests, while epoxy adhesive achieved the best quality in mechanical tests of laminated boards.

Roof tiles come in various forms and are crucial to residential construction. A roof tile composite offers the market a selection of superior roof tile products in terms of strength, low density, and environmental friendliness. This research aimed to improve the surface performance and durability of sorghum bagasse-based roof tile composite (SBRTC) through surface coating with natural polymer. Sorghum bagasse was made into roof tile composite using a mixture of molasses and citric acid adhesives (50:50) with a target density of 0.6 g/cm³. Furthermore, the SBRTC surface was coated with tannin–polyurethane at different concentrations (10%, 20%, and 30%), and the results were compared with both uncoated and polyurethane-coated samples. The parameters tested included physical and mechanical properties, surface characteristics, and durability against termite and brown-rot fungi. The result showed increasing density, dimensional stability, mechanical properties, and durability. At the same time, the moisture content decreased. Surface performance exhibits a decrease in the average surface roughness (R_a) value, indicating a smoother surface of roof tile composite after surface coating. Furthermore, a high contact angle, low K-value, and low wettability were achieved. It indicates a more hydrophobic surface. The optimal tannin concentration in the coating solution was 20%.