A pintle wire (10) for insertion through interdigitating end loops of a belt fabric or of a spiral connector, is disclosed which is expandable after insertion into the seam, for example by way of a sheath (12) which includes a thermally activated expanding agent. This is subject to heating to expand the sheath (12) , causing the pintle wire (10) to swell and fill voids in the seam area reducing permeability in the seam and thus reducing marking of paper webs carried by the belt.
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