The formulation used in this study is shown in Table
1. Natural rubber (SMR L) was obtained from the Rubber
Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM). The bamboo
used in this work belongs to the species of Bambusa
Paravariabilis and was supplied by Forest Research
Institute of Malaysia (FRIM). Bamboo chips were produced
by means of a wood planer which were then
ground to 180–270 µm and used in rubber compounding
without further treatment (other than drying). Table 2
shows the chemical composition of the bamboo fibre
used in this study. Other chemicals such as sulphur, zinc
oxide, stearic acid n-cyclohexylbenthiazyl sulphenamide
(CBS) and silica were all purchased from Bayer (M) Ltd
whereas Flectol H (poly-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-
trimethylquinoline) was supplied by Monsanto (M)
Company. Bonding agents used in this study were phenol
formaldehyde [Borden Chemical (M) Ltd] and hexamethylenetetramine
[Fluka Chemical (M) Ltd].