Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of increasing seam performance by insertion of thermoplastic stitched reinforced tape in seam construction. The seam quality was evaluated by seam slippage, seam strength and seam efficiency. Two groups of specimens were investigated to determine the effect of thermoplastic stitched reinforced tape on seam quality. Specimens sewn according the standard were in the first group and specimens sewn by the industrial practice were in the second group. The obtained results show that with the insertion of thermoplastic stitched reinforced tape in the seam construction seam slippage strength increases in both groups of specimens, but the percentage of seam slippage increasing is higher for the group of specimens sewn according to the industrial practice. Seam efficiency is increased in the group of specimens sewn according to the industrial practice.