What is this composite material made of?

It's a composite of bamboo mats as face and back layers, with a core of wood veneers, all bonded together with Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) synthetic resin (Clause 3.1 & 4).

What are the standard available thicknesses?

The code specifies standard thicknesses of 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 16, 19, 22, and 25 mm (Clause 5.1).

Is this material waterproof?

It uses Boiling Water Proof (BWP) grade adhesive as per IS 848, making it highly resistant to water and suitable for humid or exterior conditions (Clause 4.3).

What is the minimum required bending strength (MOR)?

The minimum Modulus of Rupture (MOR) is 45 N/mm² along the length and 35 N/mm² across the width (Table 2).

IS 14588

: 1999

Bamboo mat veneer composite for general purposes -Specification

CurrentSpecializedSpecificationBIMMaterials Science · Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products

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This standard specifies the requirements for bamboo mat veneer composites (BMVC). It details the materials, manufacturing process, dimensions, physical and mechanical properties, and testing methods for these general-purpose boards, which are made by sandwiching wood veneers between bamboo mats using a synthetic resin.

Bamboo mat veneer composite for general purposes -Specification

Quick Reference Values

Density, min700 kg/m³

Moisture Content5 to 15 %

Water Absorption (24h immersion), max10 %

Swelling in water (24h immersion), max8 %

Modulus of Rupture (MOR), along the length, min45 N/mm²

Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), along the length, min4500 N/mm²

Tensile Strength, along the length, min30 N/mm²

Practical Notes

The specified adhesive is Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) resin of BWP (Boiling Water Proof) type, making the board suitable for high-moisture and exterior applications.

The orientation of bamboo mats and veneers significantly affects the directional strength properties (along the length vs. across the width). This must be considered in design and application.

While termed for 'general purposes', it is not a primary structural load-bearing panel like structural plywood unless its performance is specifically verified by an engineer for the intended application.