| abstract |
Orthopedic casts which comprise a casting polymer of melting point Tm which is preferably from 40 to 60 °C. The casting polymer is preferably coated onto an elastically deformed fabric, so that the cast recovers when heated to a temperature above Tm. The cast preferably has an air flow permeability of 10 to 35 % resulting from the presence of apertures of area 0.01 to 0.08 cm2, so that it can be rapidly heated by means of a hot air gun. Preferred casting polymers comprise a side chain crystallizable (SCC) polymer, particularly one containing units derived from styrene or another high Tg monomer. The addition of certain other polymers, e.g. an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, and/or certain inorganic fillers, e.g. calcium carbonate, wollastonite and talc, results in improved balance of tensile strength and elongation. |