Conductive water blocking material including metallic particles and an optical cable and method of constructing an optical cable including the same

A method of constructing an undersea optical cable comprising a conductive path and water blocking capability, said method comprising:

• positioning a plurality of strength members around at least one optical fiber, said strength members defining strength member interstices;
• selecting grains of highly conductive metal having a predetermined size and a relative electrical conductivity greater than 60, using copper as a base reference with a relative electrical conductivity of 100;
• applying a conductive water blocking material to said strength members to cause the conductive water blocking material to be disposed in the strength member interstices, said conductive water blocking material comprising a carrier material and the selected grains of highly conductive metal;
• and
• positioning a conductor around and in electrical contact with one or more of said plurality of strength members.

An optical fiber cable comprising:

• at least one optical fiber;
• a plurality of strength members disposed around said at least one optical fiber and defining strength member interstices;
• a conductor disposed around and in electrical contact with one or more of said plurality of strength members;
• and
• a conductive water blocking material disposed in said strength member interstices, said conductive water blocking material comprising a carrier material and grains of highly conductive metal having a predetermined grain size of +325 mesh and a relative electrical conductivity greater than 60, using copper as a base reference with a relative electrical conductivity of 100, wherein said grains of highly conductive metal comprise at least one metal with a conductivity at least that of copper.