The properties of Moso bamboo heat-treated with silicon oil

Bamboo is very vulnerable to mold fungi, which greatly limits its applications. In this paper, moso bamboo was heat-treated with silicon oil at temperatures of 160, 175, and 190 °C for a duration of 2 h. The physical–mechanical properties and mold resistance were investigated. The chemical action of silicon oil within bamboo was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy on bamboo samples before and after the oil heat treatment. The results showed that the hygroscopicity and the dimensional stability of bamboo were effectively improved by the oil heat treatment. The MOR of oil heat-treated bamboo increased as it was treated at 165 and 175 °C due to the oil uptake, but its MOR decreased as the treated temperature increased to 190 °C; at this temperature the degradation of chemical components should be considered. Mold grew more slowly on the oil heat-treated bamboo than untreated bamboo, and the performance of mold resistance was also effectively improved. In addition, the presence and chemical action of silicon oil were also examined through a comparison of FTIR spectrum of untreated control and 175 °C oil heat-treated bamboo.