Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Coated Cotton Fiber as A Bio-Synthetic Fishing Gear Material

Abstract

Ghost fishing occurs because most fishing gear made from synthetic materials is difficult to degrade in the ocean, threatening the sustainability of marine ecosystems. This study aims to determine the physical and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-coated cotton ropes. The PVA coating process aims to enhance the breaking strength, elongation, and degradation resistance of cotton ropes. PVA-coated ropes exhibited an average breaking strength of 42,68 kgf, a 94,26% increase compared to uncoated ropes. The elongation of PVA-coated ropes reached 20,11%, higher than the control ropes, which had an elongation of only 13%. Immersion tests in seawater demonstrated that the technical lifespan of PVA-coated ropes extended to 54 weeks after immersion, whereas uncoated cotton ropes lasted only 17 weeks.