The use of bicomponent fabrics for bonding polypropylene sockets in prostheses

A technique has been established for bonding polypropylene sockets to the structural components of prostheses based on the use of bicomponent knitted fabrics which adhere to the surface of polypropylene sockets during thermoforming. The strength of adhesion of fabric bonded polypropylene with polyester resin based microballoon for instance is increased by more than 10 times relative to uncoated polypropylene. This procedure has been approved by the United Kingdom Department of Health for incorporating polypropylene sockets in conventional, laminated plastic patellar tendon bearing (PTB) prostheses. The bonding technique described should find general application for bonding polypropylene during the manufacture of both prosthetic and orthotic devices.