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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

FOR SOLID AND ENGINEERED BAMBOO

 

Bamboo has a dimensional coefficient of .00144, making it more stable than most hardwoods, second only to Mesquite. Please refer to the “Dimensional Stability Chart.”

HARDNESS & DENT RESISTANT

ASTM test:Janka Ball Test

Description: Hardness represents the resistance of wood to wear, which is measured by the amount of force required to embed a .444-inch steel ball to one-half its diameter into a piece of wood. The higher the number to pounds, the more dent resistant the wood.

 

Result: Bamboo equaled Hard Maple with 1450 psi. Please refer to the “Relative Hardness of Selected Wood Flooring Species” on the following pages.

 

ABRASION RESISTANCE

ASTM test:C501-84

Description: This test establishes an abrasive wear index by determining the loss of weight resulting from abrasion of an unglazed ceramic tile. H-22 Calibrade wheels loaded with 1000 gram weight at 70 RPM for 1000 cycles. The abrasive wear index is determined by the loss of the weight.

Result: .349 grams

FLAMMABILITY

ASTM test:E648-00

Description: This fire test response standard describes a procedure for measuring the critical radiant flux of horizontally mounted floor-covering systems exposed to a flaming ignition source in a grading radiant heat energy environment, in a test chamber. It provides a basis for estimating one aspect of fire exposure behavior for floor coverings.

 

Result: Bamboo passed with a Class 1 rating per NFPA Life Safety Code. The use of bamboo flooring is acceptable in all classes of buildings.

FRICTION

ASTM test:D2047-99

Description: This test covers the measurement of the static coefficient of friction of the floor surfaces for the James Machine.

 

Result: 0.71 coefficient of friction. Rated slip resistant as per the Americans with Disabilities Act.

TENSILE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

ASTM test:D3500 / D3501

Description: This test method employs large specimens and responds well to manufacturing variables and other aspects that influence the tensile properties of structural panels.

 

Result: Please refer to the following chart to find the strength characteristics of Mao Bamboo, which is used in the production of BamStar bamboo flooring:

 

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SOLID AND ENGINEERED BAMBOO

All Bamstar Products are made from Moso Bamboo specie (Phyllostachys pubescens) - origin ex Zhejiang Province, China. All Bamstar Bamboo products Conform to LEED™ (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) EQ 4.4 (low emitting materials with no added formaldehyde) and rating system, and LEED: MR Credit 6: Rapidly Renewable Materials because it is made from Bamstar Premier6 Bamboo a rapidly renewable resource. Bamstar solid strip Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring uses only the best Scandinavian and European Water-proof Glues (Akzo Nobel and Dynea) which conform to very strict European E1 emission standards, and now approaching E0 standards, well below the limits of the California CARB requirements and OSHA, and being FREE of FORMALDEHYDE with less than 0.01 ppm Formaldehyde. These adhesive are also free of:

  • Components classified as hazardous to the environment

  • Components listed on international lists of chemicals with restrictions (also called observation lists)

  • Solvents (VOC), heavy metals, bactericides and halogenated organic components

  • Moisture Content: About 7 1/2 - 8 percent on average

  • Hardness: Averages above 3300 lbs/Sq. inch on the Janka Scale -100% harder than Red Oak and 80% harder than Hard Maple

  • Tensile Strength when tested according to ASTM D3500-90 A = parallel to grain = 15,290 PSI

  • Flammability: ASTM E 648: Received a Class 1 rating according to NFPA 101 (can be used in all classes of buildings)

  • Slip Resistance when tested according to ASTM D2047 = results of 0.71 coefficient of friction

  • Static Bending: ASTM D 3043 Method D: Average thickness .761", Avg. density 65.1 lbs/ft3, Average perpendicular MOR (psi)/MOE 103 psi) 8,091/520, Avg. parallel MOR (psi)/MOE (103 psi) 13, 608/1,451

  • Bending Elasticity Modulus Recorded 943,443 PSI shear

  • Smoke Density: ASTM E 622 Passed with 239 rating in flaming mode for Natural and 329 rating Non-flaming

  • Dimensional Stability AR/50/90 ASTM D 1037: Dimensional length change: Natural: 0.004%, Carbonated 0.008%. Width / Thickness change: No measurable change - Natural or Carbonated.

  • Formaldehyde Emission: The formaldehyde off-gassing of the glue used in the manufacture of our Bamstar Solid 5/8Ó thick Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring is FREE of Formaldehyde

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

SPECIFICATION OF FORMALDEHYDE EMMISSION AND HARDNESS OF EACH STYLE

JANKA BALL TEST: ( in Pounds Force )

test results below are based on the ASTM D1037 test

In Solid Bamboo there is not much difference between the two. Horizontal is a little harder (according to Janka Test results) than Vertical, and Natural is a little harder than Carbonated color. 

(VOC) FORMALDEHYDE EMISSION

The formaldehyde off-gassing of the glue used in the manufacture of our Bamstar Solid 5/8Ó thick Bamboo Flooring averages less than 0.016 ppm (parts per million) 

and is far below the requirements of the European Union E1 Standards (European Chamber Test Norms with an upper limit of 0.1 ppm or 0.13 mg/M3 formaldehyde) 

and CARB (California Air Resources Board) and far exceed those of OSHAÕs maximum allowance of 0.75 ppm and thus virtually FORMALDEHYDE FREE.

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