Effect of flax fibers treatments on the rheological and the mechanical behavior of a cement composite

• Effect of flax fiber treatments on its properties.
• Effect of flax fibers treatments on the rheological properties of cement mortar incorporating this reinforcement.
• Consequences of flax fibers treatments on the mechanical strengths of the cementitious composites studied.

The association of plant fibers with cement paste raises a number of problems in both fresh and hardened states. Different treatments are applied to flax fibers with various methods within the aim to enhance the rheological properties of the cement mortar–fiber mixtures. Thus, the effects of these treatments on the properties of the fibers are evaluated. The rheological characteristics of the cement mixtures and the mechanical properties of the composites are assessed. Results show an improvement in the properties of the fibers, better rheological behavior of the cement mixtures and an increase of the mechanical strength of the composites.