Comparison
Mycelium Composite vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Mycelium Composite Material, Structural Grade V and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
0.1 - 0.5 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
2.0-5.0 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
Varies with growth process
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
Highly variable (depends on density and substrate)
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
Highly variable
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
Highly variable
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
Highly variable
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
Not applicable (natural material)
147 °C
Melting Point
None (decomposes)
—
Continuous Service Temperature
60 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
Not applicable
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
—
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
Variable
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
Variable
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
Low to moderate
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Sensitive
—
Bases
Sensitive
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to most common solvents but can be degraded by strong acids/bases
—
UV Resistance
Poor
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Alcohols
—
Fair
Oils
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Biodegradable (compost)
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Negative to very low (utilizes waste streams, sequesters carbon)
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
0 – 50 % (bio grades)