THE EFFECTS OF LOOPS ON THE TORSIONAL STIFFNESSES OF RECTANGULAR WIRES - AN IN-VITRO STUDY

Various loop designs have been investigated with respect to the increa sed torsional flexibility given to the wire by their inclusion. The to rsional flexibility of the wire was shown to be enlarged from 26% to 6 3%, depending on loop design. Both variation in wire cross-section and loop geometry will influence torsional stiffness. Wires with small cr oss-sectional dimensions will show greater flexibility in torsion. Eve n small deviations from the stated cross-sectional dimensions can infl uence the change in torsional stiffness caused by a specific loop desi gn. Inclusion of a reverse-closing loop led to the greatest increase i n flexibility, while a Bull loop changed torsional stiffness the least . When vertical flexibility is needed along with reduced torsional sti ffness, the T-loop is the loop of choice.