Braided flat cable constituted of ultrahigh-molecular polyethylene fibers

Abstract

Disclosed is a flat cable formed by braiding ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, in which degree of the fibers' close contact in a condition where no tensile force is applied is elevated compared with conventional ones. The cable is a flat cable formed by braiding ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, the area of whose cross section under a load of no tensile stress is not more than 110% of the cross section area under a load of a tensile stress of 22.7 N/mm 2 .

1 . A flat cable made by braiding ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, wherein the cross section area of the cable under no load of tensile stress is not more than 110% of the cross section area under a load of a tensile stress of 22.7 N/mm 2 . 
     
     
         2 . The flat cable according to  claim 1 , which is for surgical use. 
     
     
         3 . The flat cable according to  claim 1 , wherein the width thereof is 2-10 mm. 
     
     
         4 . A method for production of a flat cable of braided ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, wherein the cross section area of the cable under no load of tensile stress is not more than 110% of the cross section area under a load of a tensile stress of 22.7 N/mm 2 , comprising,
 a first process of braiding ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers into a flat cable, and   a second process of drawing the flat cable obtained in the said process up to a draw ratio of at least 109%.   
     
     
         5 . The method for production according to  claim 4 , wherein the drawing is carried out at least for 30 seconds. 
     
     
         6 . The method for production according to  claim 4 , which gives a flat cable for surgical use.