Dataset for "Assessing the susceptibility to mould growth of mycelium-based composite insulation"

Data collection method:

This dataset was generated through a series of controlled laboratory experiments on mycelium-based composite (MBC) insulation materials, including one material produced at laboratory scale and two commercially sourced products. Laboratory specimens were manufactured using a hemp-shiv substrate inoculated with Ganoderma curtisii, grown under controlled incubation conditions, and oven-dried prior to testing. The dataset includes raw results from four test methods. Thermal conductivity was measured using a heat flow meter in accordance with ASTM C518, with five repeat measurements performed on each of five specimens per material type. Liquid water absorption was measured by full immersion following ASTM C1763, using five specimens per material type, with mass recorded before and after 2 h immersion to calculate percentage mass increase. Surface wettability was assessed using sessile-drop contact angle measurements with deionised water following the principles of ISO 19403-2; three specimens per material were tested with three measurements per specimen. Mould susceptibility testing was conducted with reference to BS EN 17886 using a mixed spore suspension containing six fungal species (Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride, Talaromyces pinophilus, Chaetomium globosum, Paecilomyces variotii, and Aspergillus versicolor). Specimens were inoculated at a defined spore density and incubated for 28 days in an environmental chamber under five controlled temperature and relative humidity conditions (80–90% RH and 25–30 °C). After incubation, mould growth was assessed visually and microscopically using a standardised 0-3 rating scale. Specimens that did not show visible growth were subsequently wetted with sterile water and returned to the same environmental conditions for a further 14 days, after which mould growth was re-assessed. All files in the dataset contain specimen-level, unprocessed measurements and ratings recorded directly during these experiments, which were used to generate the figures, statistics, and mould risk charts reported in the associated publication.