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Resistance of Cereal-Husk-Reinforced PVC Terrace Profiles to Agaricomycetes Fungi

Summary

This study tested how well new terrace boards made from oat and millet husks mixed with plastic perform when exposed to wood-rotting fungi. The results showed that oat-husk boards are as resistant as the commonly used rice-husk boards, making them a good sustainable alternative for outdoor terraces. However, millet-husk boards were found to be too vulnerable to fungal damage for this application.

Background

Plant-particle-reinforced polymer composite products are increasingly used in construction, including terrace profiles. New terrace profiles reinforced with oat or millet husks are being developed as alternatives to traditional materials, but their resistance to wood-decomposing fungi requires investigation due to environmental exposure in outdoor applications.

Objective

To assess the susceptibility of oat-husk and millet-husk-reinforced PVC terrace profiles to three wood-decomposing Agaricomycetes fungi (Coniophora puteana, Coriolus versicolor, and Gloeophyllum trabeum) and compare their bioresistance to established rice-husk-reinforced profiles.

Results

Oat-husk-reinforced profiles demonstrated similar bioresistance to the reference rice-husk profiles, with minor mycelium development and comparable mass loss (7.6-7.7%) and strength reduction. Millet-husk-reinforced profiles showed high fungal susceptibility with extensive mycelium growth, significant surface degradation with voids of 500-1000 µm, and greater mass loss (9.6%). Coniophora puteana demonstrated the most aggressive fungal activity across all profiles.

Conclusion

Oat-husk-reinforced terrace profiles are suitable for outdoor construction applications due to their resistance to wood-decomposing fungi comparable to rice-husk profiles. Millet-husk-reinforced profiles are not recommended for such use due to excessive fungal susceptibility and material degradation. Further research is needed on other microorganisms and environmental factors affecting these composite materials.
  • Published in:Materials (Basel),
  • Study Type:Laboratory Testing Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/ma18122860
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