Influence of lacquer sanding sealer treatment on the properties of bamboo waste particleboards for sustainable handicrafts

Bamboo processing wastes from small to medium-sized factories are generated in substantial quantities. To maximize its utilization, this study explored the conversion of bamboo wastes into bamboo waste particleboard (BWPB) and the effects of a lacquer sanding sealer (LSS) soaking on its properties. BWPB samples were soaked in LSS for 5, 15 and 30 minutes, and their physico-mechanical properties, namely thickness swelling (TS), water absorption (WA), modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), internal bond (IB) strength, moisture content (MC) and board density (BD), were evaluated based on PNS/ISO 16893:2017 and related literature. Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were conducted to assess the penetration and effectiveness of the LSS treatment. Both the control (unsoaked) and the LSS-soaked BWPB were classified as medium-density. The MC of the LSS-soaked samples was significantly lower than that of the unsoaked boards. LSS-soaked BWPB also increased in weight, with longer soaking times resulting in greater weight gain. The LSS treatment significantly improved mechanical properties, reducing TS and WA while enhancing MOR, MOE and IB strength. Microscopy and FTIR confirmed greater LSS absorption with extended soaking times. These findings indicate that LSS-soaked BWPB met P-GP MR2 standards in the PNS/ISO 16893:2017, making it suitable for general-purpose applications. Additionally, bio-inspired product prototypes were developed to demonstrate the enhanced particleboard’s aesthetic and functional potential. • Lacquer sanding sealer soaking enhances bamboo waste board’s physico-mechanical properties. • Soaked particleboards show reduced moisture content, indicating Lacquer sanding sealer coated the bamboo particles. • Lacquer sanding sealer improved the board’s inter-particle bonding making it significantly more stable.