Knitted orthopedic fiberglass casting tapes and fiberglass fabrics (1)
Knitted orthopedic fiberglass casting tapes and fiberglass fabrics meeting the initial extensibility requirements are known. Fiberglass knitted fabrics with good extensibility are achievable with two common knitting methods: Raschel and tricot. Two and three, bar Raschel knits can be produced by regulating the amount of yarn in each stitch. Factors which affect the extensibility of fiberglass Raschel knits are the size of the loops in the chain stitch, especially in relation to the diameter(s) of the yarn(s) which passes through them, and the amount of a loose yarn in the lay in stitches. If a chain loop is formed and two strands of lay in yarn pass through it which nearly fill the loop, then the loop cannot be deformed or elongated and little or no stretch will be observed. Conversely, if the lay in yarns do not fill the loop, then application of tension will deform the loop to the limits of the lay in yarn diameter and stretch will be observed.
