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Behavior of Polymer Materials Exposed to Aging in the Swimming Pool: Focus on Properties That Assure Comfort and Durability
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Researchers aged polyamide and polyester polymers used in swimming pool equipment under pool-water conditions and found that both materials underwent molecular-level degradation that reduced comfort-related properties, with implications for microplastic release into pool water.
The degradation of polyamide (PA) and polyester (PES) polymers is under intense study due to growing concerns about the accumulation of plastics in soils and oceans. Previous studies confirm that ageing degrades PA and PES at the molecular level. However, researchers have not addressed the development of protocols for aging textile materials in swimming pools, and few data are available on the effects of aging on comfort and durability. This research addresses the development of the aging protocol for PA and PES swimwear materials, its implementation, and the evaluation of properties that assure comfort and durability after specific periods of exposure. The tests include microscopic analysis, tensile tests, determination of fluid transport phases and drying period. The results revealed changes in the surface of the material in terms of fibrillation (more pronounced after outdoor aging). There is a positive correlation between the exposure duration and the breaking force (R2 ranges from 0.85 to 0.98), with a stronger correlation for the PA materials. The decrease in breaking force due to aging is up to 40%, indicating significantly reduced durability. The change in breaking force follows the changes in mass (R2 = 0.867). In terms of comfort assurance, outdoor aging of materials should have a greater negative impact than indoor ageing.
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The Impact of Chlorinated Water and Sun Exposure on the Durability and Performance of Swimwear Materials
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Researchers studied how chlorinated pool water and sun exposure degrade swimwear materials made from blends of polyamide, polyester, and elastane. They found that these aging conditions caused significant deterioration of the fabrics' mechanical properties and durability over time. The findings are relevant to microplastic pollution because degrading swimwear releases synthetic fibers into pool and natural water environments.
Studying the Degradation of Three Polymers under Different Chlorine Concentrations and Exposure Times
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Researchers studied the degradation of PVC, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene when exposed to chlorine solutions used in swimming pools and water treatment plants. The study found that the degree of material wear depended on both chlorine concentration and exposure time, with different polymers showing varying susceptibility to chlorine-induced degradation.
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Researchers studied how common synthetic textile fibers — polyester, polyamide, and polyacrylonitrile — degrade in seawater and freshwater under UV light exposure. They found that these fibers release chemical additives as they break down, with polyester and polyamide releasing particularly concerning levels of plastic-related chemicals into the surrounding water.
Effects and Characterization of Environmental Conditions on Microplastic Fibers Release from Synthetic Textile
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Researchers investigated how environmental conditions such as moist heat, high-temperature drying, and abrasion affect the release of microplastic fibers from synthetic textiles. The study found that these aging processes significantly increased fiber shedding, highlighting synthetic clothing as a major ongoing source of microplastic contamination in water environments.
Effects of UV light on physicochemical changes in thermoplastic polyurethanes: Mechanism and disinfection byproduct formation
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Researchers examined how UV light exposure changes the properties of thermoplastic polyurethane microplastics in water and whether those changes affect the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts during water chlorination. They found that UV exposure broke the plastic into smaller fragments and released soluble chemicals that significantly increased byproduct formation after chlorination. The findings suggest that aging microplastics in water systems could contribute to the creation of potentially harmful chemicals during standard water treatment.
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