Transforming bamboo-guadua: Fiber extraction and characterization for biocomposite material

Guadua angustifolia, a South American bamboo species, has a long-standing tradition of use as a construction material. Despite numerous studies on its mechanical and structural properties, research on its fibers and extraction processes is scarce. This paper aims to enrich the technical-scientific understanding necessary for enhancing the utilization of Guadua angustifolia bamboo fibers. It outlines an experimental program that developed and assessed an extraction methodology. The fibersproduced were characterized by their length, density, water absorption, mechanical properties, morphological features, and FTIR spectroscopy. The extraction method yielded fibers up to 20cm long, with an average density of 1.4g/cm3 and a tensile strength of approximately 350MPa, among other properties.