Bamboo is not a tree but a giant grass. Strand Woven technology transforms its hollow culms into a super-composite that equals steel in tensile strength, surpassing the performance of the best tropical hardwoods.
The process begins with harvesting mature culms (4-5 years), split into strips and shredded into long bundles of fibres (strands). The bamboo undergoes steam carbonisation: it is boiled at high temperatures to eliminate sugars and starch, removing the nourishment for fungi and insects (the material takes on its typical caramel or coffee colour).
The carbonised fibres are dried, soaked in phenolic resins and arranged in steel moulds. Under hydraulic presses exceeding 2,500 tonnes, the fibres fuse with the resin. The resulting block has a density of 1,150 kg/m3 (higher than that of water, in which it sinks) and a Brinell hardness almost triple that of solid oak.
Standards
European and international references applicable.
Physical properties
Usage environment
Due to its exceptional hardness and density, compressed bamboo cannot be nailed or screwed directly. Pre-drilling is always mandatory, and tungsten carbide blades are required for cutting. Install with generous perimeter expansion joints (min 5-8 mm) in continuous applications such as decking.