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Influence of Fungal Decay on Physico-mechanical Properties of a Commercial Extruded Bagasse/PP Composite

To evaluate the effect of fungal decay on the physico-mechanical properties of natural composites, a commercial extruded bagasse/polypropylene composite from a manufacturer was sampled. Weight loss, long-term water absorption, flexural modulus, flexural strength, and unnotched impact strength were determined after incubation with white and brown rot fungi for 14 weeks. Results indicated higher water absorption for all incubated samples. However, the water absorption capacity of brown-rotted samples was significantly higher than that of white rotted ones. The brown rot fungus caused more weight loss than the white rot fungus. Modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity declined after incubation with fungi. The brown rot fungus generally caused a greater reduction in flexural strength than did the white rot fungus. Fungal decay had no significant influence on unnotched impact strength.