Fiber optic microcable produced with fiber reinforced ultraviolet light cured resin and method for manufacturing same

A fiber optic microcable, comprising:

• an optical fiber core;
• a buffer surrounding said core;
• a protective sheath adhering to and surrounding said buffer, said protective sheath including:
• an ultraviolet light cured first resin having a post-cure Young's modulus ranging from approximately 700,000 to 2,500,000 kPa;
• and
• a plurality of fibers embedded in said resin;
• and
• an unfilled overcoat sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured second resin.

A method for fabricating a fiber optic microcable, comprising the steps of:

• forming a first resinous coating of an ultraviolet light curable first resin around a buffered optical waveguide, said first resin having a post-cure Young's modulus ranging from approximately 700,000 to 2,500,000 kPa, a post-cure tensile strength of approximately 28,000 to 56,000 kPa, a post-cure moisture absorption of less than one per cent after 24 hours of water immersion, an uncured viscosity of less than 250 centipoise at 27.degree. C., and a glass transition temperature ranging from 60.degree. C. to 105.degree. C.;
• curing said first resinous coating by exposing said first resin to ultraviolet light to form a protective sheath;
• forming a second resinous coating of an ultraviolet light curable second resin around said protective sheath;
• and
• curing said second resinous coating by exposing said second resin to ultraviolet light to form an unfilled overcoat sheath.