Continuous composite reinforced buffer tubes for optical fiber cables

Abstract

A composite reinforced buffer tube for an optical fiber cable is disclosed. The composite reinforced buffer tube comprises an extruded elongated thermoplastic matrix having an elongated, substantially continuous, reinforcement incorporated therein along its length between its inside and outside walls. The substantially continuous reinforcing is co-extruded with the elongated thermoplastic matrix and bonded to the matrix at interface regions therebetween. The material forming the reinforcement has a higher modulus of elasticity than the material forming the thermoplastic matrix, and the reinforcement material has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than the thermoplastic matrix material. The strength properties of the buffer tube can be finely tailored by the size, shape and positioning of the co-extruded reinforcement as well as the number of reinforcements.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.