Development of Copper Containing Fibers for Marine Material in Consideration of Recycling

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop recyclable fibrous marine materials. To produce polyethylene fibers protected from breeding of seaweed, copper compound, Cu2O and Cu were mixed with polyethylene in the melt spinning process. The melt spinnabity, the mechanical properties of fibers and the elusion properties of copper ion from fiber were examined. Moreover, the chinning test textile made of molded fibers was carried out in the sea. The highest weight fraction of copper compounds to allow a good melt spinnabity was 25% for Cu2O and 30% for Cu, respectively. However, Cu2O was more effective antifouling material against the seaweed compared with Cu. It is due to the larger amount of copper ion eluted.