Effect of Composition Strategies on Mycelium-Based Composites Flexural Behaviour

Abstract

Mycelium-based composites (MBC) are a promising class of relatively novel materials that leverage mycelium colonisation of substrates. Being predicated on biological growth, rather than extraction based material sourcing from the geosphere, MBC are garnering attention as potential alternatives for certain fossil-based materials. In addition, their protocols of production point towards more sustainable and circular practices. MBC remains an emerging practice in both production and analysis of materials, particularly with regard to standardisation and repeatability of protocols. Here, we show a series of flexural tests following ASTM D1037, reporting flexural modulus and flexural modulus of rupture. To increase the mechanical proprieties, we contribute with an approach that follows the composition strategy of reinforcement by considering fibre topology and implementing structural components to the substrate. We explore four models that consist of a control group, the integration of inner hessian, hessian jacketing and rattan fibres. Apart from the inner hessian group, the introduction of rattan fibres and hessian jacketing led to significant increases in both strength and stiffness (α = 0.05). The mean of the flexural modulus for the most performative rattan series (1.34 GPa) is still close to three times lower than that of Medium-Density Fibreboard, and approximately 16 times lower in modulus of rupture. A future investigation could focus on developing a hybrid strategy of composition and densification so as to improve aggregate interlocking and resulting strength and stiffness.

Production of Mycoblock from the Mycelium of the Fungus Pleurotus ostreatus for Use as Sustainable Construction Materials

“…e maximum values in density and compressive strength of Mycoblock for sawdust and bagasse were 343.44 kg/m 3 and 750 kPa and 331.65 kg/m 3 and 511 kPa, respectively. e current study finding is a better result in compressive strength and density than the recent studies report, which has the maximum compressive strength and density of 498 kPa and 249 kg/m 3 Mycoblock made from mycelium substrate complex [51,52]. In contrast, coffee husk had lower density and compressive strength which was about 292.35 kg/m 3 and 283.00 kPa, respectively.…”

Mycelium Composites for Sustainable Development in Developing Countries: The Case for Africa

“…[50] Carbon is the most important macronutrient for all fungi: it provides nutrition and promotes fungal growth, increasing the density of the mycelium network and, thus, improving the strength of composites made from this material. [1,51,[56][57][58][59] At present, the main sources of carbon for mycelium composites are predominantly based on lignocellulosic wastes from the cereal and forestry sectors. [1] Despite being largely available and inexpensive, they have often resulted in lower-density mycelium networks due to the complex structure of lignocelluloses.…”

“…[1,2,49,50] On the other hand, the organic substrate plays a critical role in determining the physical characteristics of the mycelium network, particularly its density. [1,51,[56][57][58][59] The image was reproduced using data provided by the FAO. [74] Thus, both constituents must be carefully selected to obtain composites with superior characteristics and expand their range of applicability.…”

“…1) The composition, size, structure, defects, physical, and mechanical properties of the organic substrate; [1,56,67] 2) The degrading abilities of the fungus; [50] 3) The morphological, biochemical, and physicochemical characteristics of the mycelium network and its interactions with the organic substrate particles; [1,2,49,50] 4) Complex process parameters, e.g., temperature, relative humidity (RH, and pH; [39,66,68] 5) The choice of processing methods for sterilization, inoculation, mold filling, drying, and post-processing. [1,4] Figure 8 shows the relationship between these parameters and their impacts on the properties of mycelium composites.…”

Computational design logics for bio-based design

“…New directions in the digital design field are asking how methods of design steering can support the making of building elements from living materials. The initial interest in mycelium as a means of growing more or less specific building blocks that can be assembled more or less precisely (Heisel et al, 2017 ), is maturing into new questions of how the steering of growth environment (Ozkan et al, 2022 ) and strategies of substrate composition (Rigobello & Ayres, 2022 ; Rigobello et al, 2022 ) can lead to a steering of performance in new materials. While taking point of departure in craft practices of solid state fermentation, a key question revolves around methods of interfacing this practice with the existing extended digital chain.…”