Ravel-Free Orthopaedic Fiberglass Casting Tapes (6)
If the substrate contains only orthopedic fiberglass casting tapes it is possible to control the reveling problem to some extent by the use of high temperature heat treatment steps after the substrate is manufactured. However, the heat treatment does reduce the softness of the fabric and adversely alters the conformability of the casting tape. The raveling problem is particularly significant with highly conformable fiberglass substrates which contain elastic yarns. Fiberglass substrates containing elastic yarns, such as the substrate disclosed in co-pending application cannot be heat treated because of the presence of the rubber or extensible filament in the substrate. The heat treatment would degrade the elastic yarn and the fabric would lose much of its elasticity.
