Optical fiber ribbon with improved stripability
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsChing-Kee Chien, Michelle Dawn Fabian, Edward John Fewkes, Michael James Winningham
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Abstract
An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers encapsulated within a matrix material, where the optical fiber coating(s) and the matrix material(s), and optionally any ink layers thereon, are characterized by compatible chemical and/or physical properties, whereby the fiber coating and matrix and any ink layers therebetween can be reliably stripped from the optical fibers to afford a suitable strip cleanliness. Novel ink formulations that can be used in the making of such fiber optic ribbons, methods of making such ribbons, and their use are also described.
Claims12
An optical fiber ribbon comprising:
- a plurality of optical fibers that each comprise a coating;
- an ink layer that at least partially encapsulates one or more of the optical fibers;
- and
- a matrix substantially encapsulating the plurality of optical fibers and the ink layer;
- wherein the coating, the ink layer, and the matrix are each characterized by a glass transition temperature (Tg) and a fracture toughness (K1C) value, and
- either (i) the difference between the highest and lowest of the respective Tg values is less than about 15° C., (ii) the respective Tg values are at least about 60° C., (iii) the respective K1C values are at least about 0.8 MPa·m1/2, or (iv) any two or more of (i), (ii), and (iii) are satisfied.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.