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As a high-strength biomass composite material, the development of bamboo scrimber (BS) was limited by its flammable characteristics. In this study, different immersion orders of ammonium polyphosphate (10 wt%, APP solution) for bamboo bundles were selected in order to evaluate its influence on the interphase behavior, mechanical and combustion properties of BS. The flattened bamboo bundles, phenol-formaldehyde (PF) and APP solution were utilized to fabricate the BSs. The interphase behavior of the treated bamboo bundles was characterized by the contact angle measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, fluorescence microscope and SEM-EDS measurement. Thermogravimetric analysis, limiting oxygen index (LOI), mechanical properties before and after combustion test were assessed for various BSs. The results showed that significantly increased equilibrium contact angle of PF droplet on the surface of bamboo after immersed in APP solution while the decrement was for APP solution droplet on the surface of bamboo after immersed in PF. Varied intensities of chemical bonds and distribution forms of APP and PF were observed for the treated BSs depending on the immersion orders. These variations have a great effect on the mechanical and combustion properties. No significant decrement of compressive strength and bending strength was observed for APP-treated BSs with different immersion orders compared with the control sample. Higher compressive strength, bending strength, and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were found for the APP-PF-BS with increments of 31.60%, 21.70%, and 29.01%, respectively. Significantly increased thermal stability was observed for bamboo bundles after immersed in APP and PF especially for the temperature over 300 °C. After the combustion test (duration of 40 min), a higher LOI of 35.4, retention rates of mechanical properties of 39.96–78.97%, and lower mass loss of 15.93% were obtained for the PF-APP-BS. Finally, the immersion order of low concentration of APP solution has a great effect on the interphase behavior, mechanical and combustion properties of BSs, which plays a significant role in the optimized fabrication of fire-resistant BSs. • Varied interphase behavior was observed for APP-treated bamboo and BSs. • No obvious decrease of compressive and bending strengths was for APP-treated BSs. • Significantly increased thermal stability was observed for APP-treated bamboo. • Better fire-resistant behavior was obtained for PF-APP-BS with higher LOI and lower mass loss. • Higher retention rates of mechanical properties of 39.96–78.97% were observed for PF-APP-BS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bamboo scrimber (BS) is a useful engineering biomass composite that has been utilized in the construction and building fields. In this study, bamboo bundles and glass fiber (GF) layers with various thicknesses are selected to fabricate a strong, durable, and fire-resistant glass fiber-reinforced bamboo scrimber (GF-BS). The mechanical properties, aging characteristics, and fire-resistant measurements are investigated for glass fiber bamboo scrimbers (GF-BSs) with various thicknesses of the GF. The findings demonstrated that the mechanical properties, including compressive strength, shear strength, the modulus of rupture (MOR), and the modulus of elasticity (MOE), increased by approximately 7%, 25%, 18%, and 22%, respectively for the GF-BS with a thicker GF layer. After the aging test, an enhanced dimensional stability of the GF-BSs was obtained, and their mechanical performance was similar to that of a traditional BS. Significantly improved fire-resistant properties for the GF-BSs were found, especially for those with a thicker GF. After exposure to a flame for 10 min, the charring depth, mass loss, and maximum temperature for the GF-BS reduced by 50%, 15–28%, and 25%, respectively, consistent with the infrared imaging diagrams. After a fire resistant limitation test, the limitation duration increased by 650%, and the mass loss rate decreased by 400% with a lower increment in the temperature rise for the GF-BS during combustion. A significantly higher residual MOR was obtained for the GF-BSs after the combustion. This indicated that GF plays a significant role in the improvement of the mechanical and fire-resistant properties of BS composites. This study provides a method to enhance the service performance of GF-BSs for construction and building industry applications. • Mechanical properties increased by 7–25% for GF-BSs with thicker GF layer. • Better dimensional stability of GF-BSs was obtained compared with BS. • The charring depth for GF-BS reduced by 50% after the exposure to flame for 10 min • The limitation duration increased by 650% for GF-BS with lower mass loss rate. • Higher MOR was obtained for GF-BS before and after the exposure to flame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]