Effect of surface treatment of fibers on the accelerated aging of biocomposites

•Accelerated aging increases the absorption of panels.•Accelerated aging reduces the density of panels.•Accelerated aging reduces the strength and the stiffness of panels.•The treatments increases the mechanical behavior of panels subjected to weathering. The effect the surface treatment of fibers on the accelerated aging of biocomposites was evaluated. For the surface modification of the fibers, cold plasma and ozone treatments were applied. The moisture content, the surface water absorption, the basic specific gravity, the effective absorption, and the percentage of swelling were determined. Static bending and compression tests were performed. The effect of the degradation process on the dynamic modulus of elasticity, the Poisson coefficient, the shear modulus, and the apparent modulus of elasticity was evaluated by means of ultrasound techniques. The results were compared with the results obtained for panels that did not undergo the degradation process.