Carl Raymond Taylor

Optical fiber coatings

The outside coating of dual coated optical fibers is improved by the addition of a filler to increase the microbending resistance of the optical fiber. The coating is improved by the addition of very small clay platelets, with the platelets aligned along the fiber axis. It is found that standard polymer coatings can be loaded with enough filler to enhance the mechanical properties, while the particulates are small enough to be essentially transparent to the UV curing radiation.Optical fiber coatings, such as polymeric, metallic and inorganic are routinely applied on fibers. Polymeric coatings, particularly ultraviolet (UV) -cured acrylate are extensively used in the telecommunication industries. Metallic coatings, such as tin coated fibers showed strength values near to the theoretical value of pure silica. Inorganic coatings, such as amorphous carbon coated fibers showed comparable strength and high fatigue resistance for using these fibers as a potential long term reliable fibers. A review of different optical coatings, current status and future direction is presented.

THERMAL ANALYSIS CHARACTERIZATION OF A COMMERCIAL THERMOPLASTIC/THERMOSET ADHESIVE

DSC, TGA and DMA thermal analysis techniques are used to characterize a complex adhesive blend. The chemical and thermomechanical property development shown to follow a two-stage process. Beneficial synergy between these analysis tools is demonstrated in this study.