Thermal Degradation and Fire Properties of Fungal Mycelium and Mycelium - Biomass Composite Materials.

ABSTRACT: Mycelium and mycelium-biomass composites are emerging as new sustainable materials with useful flame-retardant potentials. Here we report a detailed characterisation of the thermal degradation and fire properties of fungal mycelium and mycelium-biomass composites. Measurements and analyses are carried out on key parameters such as decomposition temperatures, residual char, and gases evolved during pyrolysis. Pyrolysis flow combustion calorimetry (PCFC) evaluations reveal that the corresponding combustion propensity of mycelium is significantly lower compared to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polylactic acid (PLA), indicating that they are noticeably less prone to ignition and flaming combustion, and therefore safer to use. The hyphal diameters of mycelium decrease following pyrolysis

SUBMITTER: Jones M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6279784 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature