Page 239 - 《水产学报》2026年第3期

3 期 水 产 学 报 50 卷

Effects of UV radiation on the structure and properties of
medium and high UHMWPE fibers for fishing

2*
2,4
1,3
1,2
2
CHEN Yihong , SHI Jiangao , SONG Weihua , ZHANG Wenyang , XUE Zun ,
5
6
2,5
DING Ying , ZHANG Jian , ZHOU Xinji , LÜ Chengtao 7
(1. College of Fisheries, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China;
2. East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China;
3. National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China;
4. College of Ocean, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;
5. College of Marine Biological Resources and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China;
6. Jiuzhou Star Technology Co., Ltd., Nantong 226047, China;
7. Shandong Laiwei New Materials Co., Ltd., Jinan 250013, China)

Abstract: To investigate the comprehensive properties of medium and high ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHM-
WPE) fibers, such as their resistance to ultraviolet (UV) aging, and to promote their industrial application in fields like deep-sea
aquaculture or offshore fisheries, this experiment conducted artificial accelerated UV aging on medium and high UHMWPE,
regular UHMWPE fibers, and low-creep UHMWPE fibers. Using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared
spectroscopy, thermal stability tests, and mechanical tensile tests, the changes in the structure and properties of the three types
of UHMWPE fibers over UV irradiation periods of 7 to 28 days were analyzed. The results show that UV irradiation causes
main-chain scission in UHMWPE fibers, leading to molecular degradation, which subsequently affects their thermal stability
and reduces their mechanical properties. After 7 and 14 days of UV irradiation, the knot strength of medium and high UHM-
WPE fibers with the linear density specifications of 1600D, 3000D, and 6000D was improved to varying degrees. With the
increase of the UV irradiation period, the decrease in knot strength and elongation at break of 1600D medium and high UHM-
WPE fibers was smaller compared to regular UHMWPE fibers and low-creep UHMWPE fibers of the same specification. The
research shows that during a 28 day UV irradiation period, medium and high UHMWPE fibers exhibited similar UV aging res-
istance, thermal stability, flexibility, and elasticity to the other two types of UHMWPE fibers, with smaller differences in mech-
anical performance. The overall performance of medium and high UHMWPE fibers is close to that of regular UHMWPE fibers.
This study can provide a reference for the development and application of medium and high UHMWPE fiber rope and net
materials for fisheries.
Key words: medium and high UHMWPE fiber; ultraviolet irradiation; UV aging resistance; mechanical properties; breaking
strength of the nodule; deep-sea aquaculture; distant-water fishing; cage; breeding enclosure
Corresponding author: SHI Jiangao. E-mail: jiangaoshi666@163.com
Funding projects: National Key Research And Development Program of China (2024YFD2400200); Shandong Province
Technology Innovation Guidance Program - Central Government Funds Guiding Local Technological Development
(YDZX2025069); Technology Development Projects of Jiuzhou Star Technology Co., Ltd. (Project Name: R & D and Applica-
tion Cooperation Agreement for New Materials such as Medium Strong Polyethylene Fiber Rope Net; Guangdong Provincial
Core Equipment and Technology Innovation Platform for Modern Marine Pastures (First Batch)

https://www.china-fishery.cn 中国水产学会主办 sponsored by China Society of Fisheries
14