Coir (Cocos nucifera ), a ligno-cellulosic fiber, is cheap and abundant in the coastal regions of tropical countries. In this paper the effect of physical and chemical treatments on the mechanical properties of coir fibers is reported. Changes in moisture regain, crystallite orientation, and percentage crystallinity were observed when fibers were treated with hydrochloric acid (10%), sodium hydroxide (10%), and acetic acid (10%). Scanning electron micrographs of the fractured surfaces of the fibers showed extensive fibrillation. Tenacity and elongation-at-break decreased with chemical treatment and UV irradiation. An increase in initial modulus and crystallinity was observed with alkali treatment.
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