Fluoropolymer Barriers to Stress Corrosion in Optical Fibers
Abstract
Organic polymer coatings play a critical role in determining the overall performance of optical fibers. They protect the very fine silica glass core from abrasive damage and environmental effects such as stress induced corrosion. In addition they act as a buffer in reducing the sensitivity of the optical fiber to microbending loss. In designing a coating system for optical fibers it is necessary to strike a balance between two factors: a soft compliant enclosure that acts as a buffer in masking the nonuniform surface of the glass and a hard enclosure to act as a stiffener and make the fiber resistant to the environmental surface. These requirements are best suited by using a photocured polyfluoropolyolacrylate of reduced crosslink density as a primary coating and the high modulus fluoroepoxy resin as a secondary coating. Although it is possible to lower the glass transition and modulus of the fluoroepoxy system, the longer cure times required for heat curing systems, make them less attractive as a primary coating. Also the superior surface properties of the fluoroepoxy suggest themselves for use as an external coating.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 18, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA117346
Entities
People
- Liliana Klinger
Organizations
- United States Army Communications-Electronics Command