Evaluation the Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on Fiber Fragment Release from Textiles

The degradation of textile products and the release of fiber fragment in daily life were investigated, with a focus on ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The impact of UV degradation on fiber release was assessed using a super-accelerated weathering tester. Accelerated weathering tests were conducted with a typical specimen size (150 × 70 mm), and a washing procedure suitable for this cloth size was developed. A high reproducibility of 2.28 % maximum error was achieved by manually rubbing and repeating the cleaning process until no fibre release was observed.Continuous irradiation tests and washing, performed at 24 h intervals, ranging from 0 h (unirradiated) to a maximum of 168 h, revealed an increase in the amount of fiber release with prolonged irradiation time. Notably, nylon exhibited the highest susceptibility to degradation induced by ultraviolet radiation. Cotton/polyester showed a Fibre Fragment (FF) release rate of about 6 % in continuous irradiation tests, which increased to about 15 % after repeated irradiation and washing every 24 h for up to a maximum of 168 h. An examination of the effect of fluorescent brighteners on UV degradation showed no discernible impact.