As we're seeing an increase in promotional products that are being made from this material, we're asking: is bamboo nature’s ‘miracle material’?
Bamboo is a perennial evergreen flowering plant that is prevalent in Asia, Australia, North and South America and Sub-Saharan Africa. China is currently the only country in the world that is exploiting the full potential of bamboo in the mass market. Most Chinese bamboo is harvested from the south Yangtze River area. Bamboo can grow on different altitudes and under various climatic conditions, but it prefers tropical climates.
Anatomy of Bamboo
Although it looks, feels and behaves like wood, bamboo actually belongs to the grass family. Similar to all grasses, bamboo is characterised by a jointed stem called a culm. In most cases the stems are hollow, but some species have solid culms. Culms are segmented by nodes; the points where branches grow out of the culm. These nodes are solid throughout the culm and from the outside appear as swellings.
Mechanical Properties
Tensile Strength:- Average of 160 N/mm2 (3 times greater than most conventional construction grade timbers)
Compressive Strength:- Up to 86 N/mm2. (Cedar is about 40 N/mm2)
Hardness:- Up to 1690 lbf. – Janka hardness test. (Cedar is about 900lbf)
Bending Strength:- Up to 150N/mm2 (About 2 times stronger than structural timber)
Eco Credentials
Renewables
New bamboo shoots can grow at staggering rates. Some species of bamboo have been clocked at growing over 900mm in one day. The entire growth period from new shoot to a full height culm can typically be completed in 30 days. Harvesting occurs between 3- 5 years (time taken to reach maturity) after which the bamboo plant regrows. This can be contrasted with wood where tree maturity rates are measured in decades, after which the tree is felled and no regrowth occurs.
Pesticide-Free
Bamboo requires no pesticides to protect it from parasites or microbes during it's growing lifetime.
Prevents Soil Erosion
Bamboo has a close knitted root system that helps to clump earth. This not only prevents erosion, but rebuilds already-eroded earth. This is particularly important in tropical regions where heavy rainfall can deplete nutrients and strip the land of soil.
Low Hydration
Bamboo plants require little water to prosper and no irrigation is required.
Greenhouse Gases
- Bamboo absorbs 5 times more carbon dioxide than similar plants.
- Bamboo produces 35% more oxygen than similar plants.
So it's great as a material for hygienic writing instruments!
Antimicrobial
Bamboo inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi. Great as a material for hygienic writing instruments.
So, with all the above in mind, what are you waiting for? Take a look at the fantastic selection of bamboo products we have available, and if there’s something else you have in mind, get in touch via the form below.
