Hybrid green composites manufactured with glass fiber and jute fabric skin by VARTM process: Fungal, mold, and termite resistance tests

IRG/WP 17-40780

S N Kartal, E Terzi, M Muin, A H Hassanin, T Hamuoda, A Kilic, Z Candan

Hybrid green composites are increasingly used in building applications due to the development of new production approaches. Biological performance of such composites is needed when they are employed in extreme conditions. Hybrid composite panels were manufactured by wood furnish, glass fiber, and jute fabric skin by the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Petri dish test method was followed to evaluate fungal resistance of produced composite specimens by employing Fomitopsis palustris, Trametes versicolor and Serpula lacyrmans. The specimens were also subjected to mold resistance tests. Test specimens were then bio-assayed against the termites in laboratory conditions. The specimens were highly resistant to fungi tested and termites; however, mold fungal growth was observed on the surfaces of the specimens with glass fiber at 10, 15, and 20% loading levels (without jute fabric) and the specimens with 5, 10, and 15% glass fiber and with jute fabric. Results suggest that the hybrid composite panels can be used as an alternative product to conventional commercial composites in severe degradation conditions.


Keywords: hybrid composites, VARTM, decay resistance, termite resistance, mold growth

Conference: 17-06-04/08 Ghent, Belgium


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