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Abstract

The construction industry urgently requires sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based insulation materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and mineral wool. Mycelium-based biocomposites offer a promising solution by valorizing agricultural waste while delivering competitive thermal and acoustic performance. In this study, developed and characterized biocomposites using Ganoderma lucidum mycelium combined with spent yerba mate and residual sunflower oil (70 g/30 mL), both commonly generated as waste in Argentine institutions. Two formulations were evaluated: high density (HD: 280 ± 5 kg/m³) and low density (LD: 185 ± 5 kg/m³). Samples were cultivated for 90 days at 28 °C and 65% relative humidity and tested following ASTM and IRAM standards. Results showed strong thermal insulation properties, with HD composites achieving a conductivity of 0.031 W/m·K, comparable to EPS and better than mineral wool. Thermal resistance reached 0.967 m²·K/W at 3 cm thickness. Acoustic absorption coefficients were 0.388 ± 0.019 (HD) and 0.688 ± 0.022 (LD) across 100–4,000 Hz. Mechanically, HD composites exhibited compressive and flexural strengths of 0.226 ± 0.056 MPa and 0.385 ± 0.081 MPa, respectively, while LD showed lower values. Both formulations demonstrated self-extinguishing behavior (V-1 classification) without flaming drips. Contact angle analysis revealed hydrophobicity in HD and hydrophilicity in LD. These results demonstrate that controlling density allows tailoring the balance between mechanical resistance, moisture response, and insulation properties in Ganoderma lucidum-based composites produced from agricultural residues.

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