Sap coating layer for cable component and related systems and methods

An optical fiber cable component comprising:

• an optical fiber including an optical core and a cladding layer of a different refractive index than the optical core surrounding the core;
• an outer polymer layer located outside of and surrounding the optical fiber;
• and
• a contiguous layer of crosslinked super absorbent polymer surrounding the outer polymer layer, wherein the contiguous layer of crosslinked super absorbent polymer is contiguous circumferentially around the optical fiber and contiguous axially along the optical fiber for at least a length of 1 cm.

A water resistant cable comprising:

• a cable body including an inner surface defining a channel within the cable body;
• an elongate cable component located within the channel of the cable body;
• and
• a contiguous layer of crosslinked super absorbent polymer surrounding the elongate cable component;
• wherein the contiguous layer of crosslinked super absorbent polymer is contiguous circumferentially around the elongate cable component and contiguous axially along the length of the elongate cable component for at least a length of 1 cm.