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Mechanical behavior of mycelium-based particulate composites

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Abstract

This work investigates the mechanical behavior of mycelium composites reinforced with biodegradable agro-waste particles. In the composite, the mycelium acts as a supportive matrix which binds reinforcing particles within its filamentous network structure. The compressive behavior of mycelium composites is investigated using an integrated experimental and computational approach. The experimental results indicate that the composite mimics the soft elastic response of pure mycelium at small strains and demonstrates marked stiffening at larger strains due to the densification of stiff particles. The composite also exhibits the characteristic stress softening effect and hysteresis under cyclic compression previously observed for pure mycelium. To gain further insight into the composite behavior, a three-dimensional finite element model based on numerical homogenization technique is presented. Model validation is performed by direct comparison with experiments, and a parametric study of the effect of mycelium density and particle size is discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This material is based on work supported by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant CMMI-1362234.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA

    M. R. Islam & R. C. Picu

  2. Ecovative Design LLC, Green Island, NY, 12183, USA

    G. Tudryn

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, Schenectady, NY, 12308, USA

    R. Bucinell

  4. Department of Material Science and Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA

    L. Schadler

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  1. M. R. Islam
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  2. G. Tudryn
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  3. R. Bucinell
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  4. L. Schadler
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  5. R. C. Picu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. C. Picu.

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Islam, M.R., Tudryn, G., Bucinell, R. et al. Mechanical behavior of mycelium-based particulate composites. J Mater Sci 53, 16371–16382 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-2797-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-2797-z

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