Title
Effects of chemical treatments on the structural mechanical and morphological properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/Spartium junceum fiber composites
Authors
BOUHANK SALIM and NEKKAA SORYA

Received March 21, 2014
Published Volume 49 Issue 3-4 March-April
Keywords poly(vinyl chloride), Spartium junceum, treatment, crystallinity

Abstract
This study investigates the effects of surface treatments by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) of Spartium junceum (SJ) fibers on the structural and physical properties of Spartium junceum fibers. SJ fibers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical microscopy. FTIR was performed to see the extent of chemical modification of the fibers, the results obtained from XRD indicated an improvement in the crystallinity index of the SJ fibers by treatments. The effects of the treatments on the properties of the prepared SJ fiber reinforced poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites were investigated. Also, the treatments improved notably the mechanical properties of the composites. The observations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of fracture surfaces of PVC/SJ composites showed more intimate contact between fibers and PVC matrix after surface modification.