US 2003/0147615 A1 · Radiation-curable optical glass fiber coating compositions, coated optical glass fibers, and optical glass fiber assemblies

Abstract

Optical fiber coatings are disclosed having excellent ribbon stripping and adhesion behavior. The coatings are radiation-curable. The excellent stripping and adhesion behavior can be achieved by several means which include by use of additives, by use of radiation-curable oligomers having higher molecular weight, or by use of coatings having certain thermal properties. Combination of means can be employed. Stripping behavior can be measured by crack propagation and fiber friction measurements.

Claims72

Dependent claims

A radiation-curable inner primary coating composition for an optical glass fiber comprising an oligomer having at least one functional group capable of polymerizing under the influence of radiation, said composition after radiation cure having the combination of properties of:

(a) a fiber pull-out friction of less than 20 g/mm at stripping temperature;
(b) a crack propagation of greater than 1.0 mm at stripping temperature;
(c) a glass transition temperature of below 10° C.;
and
(d) sufficient adhesion to said glass fiber to prevent delamination in the presence of moisture and during handling.

2 more elements

A system for coating an optical glass fiber comprising a radiation-curable inner primary coating composition and a radiation-curable outer primary coating composition wherein:

said inner primary coating composition comprises an oligomer having at least one functional group capable of polymerizing under the influence of radiation, said inner primary coating composition, after radiation cure, having the combination of properties of:
(a) a fiber pull-out friction of less than 40 g/mm at 90° C.;
(b) a crack propagation of greater than 1.0 mm at 90° C.;
(c) a glass transition temperature of below 10° C.;
and
(d) adhesion to glass of at least 12 g/in when conditioned at 95% relative humidity;
and
said outer primary coating composition comprises an oligomer having at least one functional group capable of polymerizing under the influence of radiation, said outer primary coating composition, after radiation cure, having the combination of properties of:
(e) a glass transition temperature of above 40° C.;
and
(f) a modulus of elasticity of between about 10 MPa to about 40 MPa at 100° C.;
and wherein the ratio of the change in length of said inner primary coating composition, after radiation cure, to the change in length of said outer primary coating composition, after radiation cure, is less than 2 when said cured compositions are heated from 25° C. to stripping temperature.

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A ribbon assembly comprising:

a plurality of coated optical glass fibers, at least one optical glass fiber coated with at least an inner primary coating and an outer primary coating, and optionally an ink coating;
and
a matrix material bonding said plurality of coated optical glass fibers together,
wherein:
said inner primary coating is comprised of a radiation cured polymeric material having the combination of properties of:
(a) a fiber pull-out friction of less than 40 g/mm at 90° C.;
(b) a crack propagation of greater than 1.0 mm at 90° C.;
(c) a glass transition temperature of below 10° C.;
and
(d) adhesion to glass of at least 12 g/in when conditioned at 95% relative humidity;
and
said outer primary coating is comprised of a radiation cured polymeric material having the combination of properties of:
(e) a glass transition temperature of above 40° C.;
and
(f) a modulus of elasticity of between about 10 MPa to about 40 MPa measured at 100° C.;
and wherein the ratio of the change in length of said inner primary coating composition, after radiation cure, to the change in length of said outer primary coating composition, after radiation cure, is less than when said cured compositions are heated from 25° C. to stripping temperature.

13 more elements