| Abstract: | The effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thermal annealing on the optical and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were studied. Pure PVA samples were prepared by casting technique. Xenon arc lamp was used to irradiate the sample. The irradiated PVA sample was heated at 150°C for 2 h. The optical and mechanical properties of original, irradiated, and irradiated and then heated samples were measured. The irradiated and then heated sample showed lower transmission in the wavelength range from 190 to 320 nm and the transmission was higher in the visible region than the original and irradiated samples. The stress–strain measurements were performed. Modulus of elasticity of the double‐treated sample was approximately four times higher than that of original sample. The obtained results show the possibility of using this sample as cut‐out filter for UV radiation. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1295–1299, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10486 |
