Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2009
(1) Cotton and linen fabrics were exposed horizontally on the Laboratory roof at Plymouth for two years. During this time the fabrics lost from one to two-thirds of their initial tensile strengths in both warp and weft.
(2) The application of copper oleate, mixed copper soaps, also of the latter with resin or tar as binding agents, had no effect or a slight effect only in lessening deterioration; such weakening must therefore be due to weathering, chiefly the action of light, since these substances have been shown to be useful antiseptics on nets immersed in salt or fresh water.
(3) No deleterious action may be expected when nets treated with these substances are exposed to light, since the treated fabrics were no weaker than the untreated; but where Cuprinol had been used, there appears to have been some weakening, though the antiseptic properties of Cuprinol are excellent.