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

## TL;DR

This study compares the resistance of oat and millet husk-reinforced PVC terrace profiles to fungi, finding that oat husk profiles perform well while millet husk ones are less resistant.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is evaluating oat and millet husk-reinforced polymer composites against Agaricomycetes fungi for construction use.

## Key findings

- Oat husk-reinforced profiles showed bioresistance similar to rice husk-reinforced reference profiles.
- Millet husk-reinforced profiles exhibited greater fungal susceptibility and lower suitability for outdoor use.
- Coniophora puteana was the most aggressive fungus across all tested profiles.

## Abstract

Plant-particle-reinforced polymer composite products are widely used in construction. New terrace profiles, reinforced with oat or millet husks, are being considered. However, their resistance to wood-decomposing Agaricomycetes fungi requires investigation due to their intended environmental exposure. Susceptibility to Coniophora puteana, Coriolus versicolor, and Gleophyllum trabeum was tested. Well-known rice-husk-reinforced profiles were used as the reference material for the analysis. The bioresistance of the oat-husk-reinforced profiles was similar to that of the reference profile. Minor mycelium development and changes in the surface morphology, mass, and flexural strength were found. Millet husk-reinforced profiles showed greater fungal susceptibility, questioning their suitability for the intended application. Coniophora puteana was the most aggressive among all the profiles.