Biological performance of novel hybrid green composites produced from glass fibers and jute fabric skin by the VARTM process

Evren Terzi*, S. Nami Kartal, Musrizal Muin, Ahmed H. Hassanin, Tamer Hamouda, Ali Kiliç, Zeki Candan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Environmentally friendly composites are increasingly used in building applications that require fungal and insect resistance. This study evaluated the ability of both wood-degrading and mold fungi to decompose hybrid composites made of wood furnish, glass fibers, and jute fabric skin. Fungal decay resistance tests employed brown-rot fungus (Fomitopsis palustris) and white-rot fungus (Trametes versicolor). Mold resistance tests were performed with a mixture of three mold fungi, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Trichoderma viride. The test specimens were also bio-assayed against termites in both laboratory and field conditions. When compared to control composites specimens produced by conventional methods without glass fiber and jute, the specimens with/without glass fiber and jute fabric manufactured by the VARTM process showed high resistance against the wood-degrading fungi and termites under laboratory and field conditions; however, mold fungal growth was observed on the surfaces of the specimens with 10%, 15%, and 20% glass fiber (without jute fabric) and with 5%, 10%, and 15% glass fiber (with jute fabric). In geographical locations with severe decay and termite hazards, these composite products may have a long service life as alternatives to conventional composites.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)662-677
Number of pages16
JournalBioResources
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2018

Funding

The test specimens were kindly obtained from a previous study funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under grant number 21514107-216.01-237755. This study was financially supported by The Coordination Unit for Scientific Research of Istanbul University, Turkey (Project No: BEK-2017-24435). This study was partly presented at the IRG 2017, Belgium The test specimens were kindly obtained from a previous study funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under grant number 21514107-216.01-237755. This study was financially supported by The Coordination Unit for Scientific Research of Istanbul University, Turkey (Project No: BEK-2017-24435). This study was partly presented at the IRG 2017, Belgium.

FundersFunder number
Istanbul University, TurkeyBEK-2017-24435
TUBITAK21514107-216.01-237755
Istanbul Üniversitesi
Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu

    Keywords

    • Biological performance
    • Decay
    • Green composites
    • Hybrid composites
    • Mold
    • Termite

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