CA1093876A - Jacketed optical filamentary material with thermoplastic core - Google Patents
Jacketed optical filamentary material with thermoplastic coreInfo
- Publication number
- CA1093876A CA1093876A CA286,480A CA286480A CA1093876A CA 1093876 A CA1093876 A CA 1093876A CA 286480 A CA286480 A CA 286480A CA 1093876 A CA1093876 A CA 1093876A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- core
- sheath
- filamentary material
- light
- optical
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 45
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 7
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title abstract description 22
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 abstract description 11
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000011162 core material Substances 0.000 description 29
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 10
- -1 alkyl methacrylate Chemical compound 0.000 description 7
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 description 4
- CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-M Methacrylate Chemical compound CC(=C)C([O-])=O CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 229920001519 homopolymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methacrylic acid Chemical compound CC(=C)C(O)=O CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- BAPJBEWLBFYGME-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl acrylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C=C BAPJBEWLBFYGME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- BLTXWCKMNMYXEA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1,2-trifluoro-2-(trifluoromethoxy)ethene Chemical compound FC(F)=C(F)OC(F)(F)F BLTXWCKMNMYXEA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BQCIDUSAKPWEOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1-Difluoroethene Chemical compound FC(F)=C BQCIDUSAKPWEOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000001140 1,4-phenylene group Chemical group [H]C1=C([H])C([*:2])=C([H])C([H])=C1[*:1] 0.000 description 1
- GOXQRTZXKQZDDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate Chemical compound CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)C=C GOXQRTZXKQZDDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- WRDNCFQZLUCIRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 4-(7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-1,3,5-triene-7-carbonyl)benzamide Chemical compound C1=CC(C(=O)N)=CC=C1C(=O)N1C2=CC=C1C=C2 WRDNCFQZLUCIRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004925 Acrylic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000178 Acrylic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- SOGAXMICEFXMKE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Butylmethacrylate Chemical compound CCCCOC(=O)C(C)=C SOGAXMICEFXMKE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920004934 Dacron® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl methacrylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C(C)=C VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000018936 Vitellaria paradoxa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- PTFCDOFLOPIGGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc dication Chemical compound [Zn+2] PTFCDOFLOPIGGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920006397 acrylic thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000000149 argon plasma sintering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 description 1
- 125000002843 carboxylic acid group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000004431 deuterium atom Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002148 esters Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000001495 ethyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- XUCNUKMRBVNAPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluoroethene Chemical compound FC=C XUCNUKMRBVNAPB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000005816 fluoropropyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])(F)C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- HCDGVLDPFQMKDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexafluoropropylene Chemical group FC(F)=C(F)C(F)(F)F HCDGVLDPFQMKDK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical group [H]* 0.000 description 1
- 229920000554 ionomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000031700 light absorption Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002734 metacrylic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- MYWUZJCMWCOHBA-VIFPVBQESA-N methamphetamine Chemical compound CN[C@@H](C)CC1=CC=CC=C1 MYWUZJCMWCOHBA-VIFPVBQESA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001483 poly(ethyl methacrylate) polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920003366 poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000010791 quenching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- ISXSCDLOGDJUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N tert-butyl prop-2-enoate Chemical compound CC(C)(C)OC(=O)C=C ISXSCDLOGDJUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000009941 weaving Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000002268 wool Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
- B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
- B29D11/00663—Production of light guides
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
- G02B1/04—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements made of organic materials, e.g. plastics
- G02B1/045—Light guides
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
- G02B1/04—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements made of organic materials, e.g. plastics
- G02B1/045—Light guides
- G02B1/046—Light guides characterised by the core material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
- G02B1/04—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements made of organic materials, e.g. plastics
- G02B1/045—Light guides
- G02B1/048—Light guides characterised by the cladding material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
- G02B6/02033—Core or cladding made from organic material, e.g. polymeric material
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4402—Optical cables with one single optical waveguide
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
- G02B6/4436—Heat resistant
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An optical filamentary material with a thermoplastic optically transparent core and a lower index of refraction sheath is spaced from a protective jacket by a heat shield which thermally protects the optical filamentary material during extrusion and application of a jacketing polymer.
An optical filamentary material with a thermoplastic optically transparent core and a lower index of refraction sheath is spaced from a protective jacket by a heat shield which thermally protects the optical filamentary material during extrusion and application of a jacketing polymer.
Description
~ 3~ ~
The present invention relates to an optical filamentar~ material having a thermoplastic protecti~e jacket and, more particularly, an optical filamentary material contai~ing a core made ~rom an optically ~ransparent thermoplas~ic polymeric material.
Optical filamentary materials are well lonown in the art for transmission of light along a filament length by multiple internal reflections of light.
Great care is -taken to minimize light losses along the length of the filament or, in other words1 internal reflec~ions are made as total as possible so th~t light applied ko one end of the optical filameIltary material is efficiently transmitted to--the opposite end of the material. The light transmitting portion or core of the optical filamentary material is surrounded by a shea~h having a lower index of refrackion which minimizes the escape or absorption of light along the length of the filamen~. This sheath is normally transparent since an opaque sheath tends -to absorb light. Also, the sheath is con~entionally made ~rom a substantially amorphous material to minimize light scattering and absorption~
Optical filamentary materials can be di~ided in~o two general classes dependent upon the type of optically transparent core material. A first class o~
core material is thermoplastic in nature while a second class is made from glass~ The first class is generally superior both in toughness and in ease of making connec-tions while the second class is generally superior in light transmission~
.~ J ':, S '~
The present invention relates to an optical filamentar~ material having a thermoplastic protecti~e jacket and, more particularly, an optical filamentary material contai~ing a core made ~rom an optically ~ransparent thermoplas~ic polymeric material.
Optical filamentary materials are well lonown in the art for transmission of light along a filament length by multiple internal reflections of light.
Great care is -taken to minimize light losses along the length of the filament or, in other words1 internal reflec~ions are made as total as possible so th~t light applied ko one end of the optical filameIltary material is efficiently transmitted to--the opposite end of the material. The light transmitting portion or core of the optical filamentary material is surrounded by a shea~h having a lower index of refrackion which minimizes the escape or absorption of light along the length of the filamen~. This sheath is normally transparent since an opaque sheath tends -to absorb light. Also, the sheath is con~entionally made ~rom a substantially amorphous material to minimize light scattering and absorption~
Optical filamentary materials can be di~ided in~o two general classes dependent upon the type of optically transparent core material. A first class o~
core material is thermoplastic in nature while a second class is made from glass~ The first class is generally superior both in toughness and in ease of making connec-tions while the second class is generally superior in light transmission~
.~ J ':, S '~
2~
' ~ 3#~
The present invention relates to a cable ~or transmission of light comprising (a) a cylindrical core of a substantially amorphous optically transparent thermo~
plastic polymeric material9 . (b) a substantially amorphous transparent polymeric sheath for (a) having an index of refraction at least 0.1% lower, and (c) an extruded polymer jacket which is exterior of (a) and (b~;
~he improvement comprising (i, use in ~a) of an optically transparen~
material having a second order -transi-tion temperature from 80C. to ~40~C.;
(ii) ( ~loymerLt)of a heat shield between (iii) use in ~c) of a polymer extruded at a temperature at least equal to the second order transition tem~erature of the material used in Detailed Descriptlon o _the Invention : ;~
The types of substantially amorphous thermo-plastic polymeric materials suitable for an optically transparent cylindrical core of the optical filamen~ary material are varied. "Optically transparentq~ as employed herein means a light transmission o~ at least 50~0 per 30 centimeters in a portion of the spectr~m between 550 to 1100 nanometers~ This degree of ~rans~
mission need not extend over the entire spectrum.
The polymers employed for the core have a second order transition temperature~Tg~ in a range from ~0G~ to 1~0C.
"
' ~ 3#~
The present invention relates to a cable ~or transmission of light comprising (a) a cylindrical core of a substantially amorphous optically transparent thermo~
plastic polymeric material9 . (b) a substantially amorphous transparent polymeric sheath for (a) having an index of refraction at least 0.1% lower, and (c) an extruded polymer jacket which is exterior of (a) and (b~;
~he improvement comprising (i, use in ~a) of an optically transparen~
material having a second order -transi-tion temperature from 80C. to ~40~C.;
(ii) ( ~loymerLt)of a heat shield between (iii) use in ~c) of a polymer extruded at a temperature at least equal to the second order transition tem~erature of the material used in Detailed Descriptlon o _the Invention : ;~
The types of substantially amorphous thermo-plastic polymeric materials suitable for an optically transparent cylindrical core of the optical filamen~ary material are varied. "Optically transparentq~ as employed herein means a light transmission o~ at least 50~0 per 30 centimeters in a portion of the spectr~m between 550 to 1100 nanometers~ This degree of ~rans~
mission need not extend over the entire spectrum.
The polymers employed for the core have a second order transition temperature~Tg~ in a range from ~0G~ to 1~0C.
"
3 ~ 7 ~
Reprssentative core materials include acrylic and polystyrene homopolymers and copol~mers including those disclosed in British Pa~ent 1,037,498 e~g~, acrylic resins which include polyalkyl meth-acrylates and copolymers thereof containing at least 70 percent by weight of units derived from an alkyl methacrylate, where the alkyl groups contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such a~ polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polypropyl methacrylate~ poly-butyl methacrylate, polyisobutyl me~hacrylate andpolycyclohexyl methacrylate and interpolymers thereoE.
Copolymers of units derived from methyl methacrylate and up to 30 weigh-t percent by weigh-t of units derived ~rom ethyl acryla-te or methyl acrylate? and up to 15 weight percent by weight of units derived from 2 ethyl hexyl acrylate are examples of useful polymers~
Polymethyl methacrylate and copolymers thereof con-taining at least 70 percent by weight polymethyl methacrylate are preferred because they are readil~
available in high quality at a moderate cost and are very transparent. ~lso useful are those optically transparent polymers in which deuterium atoms have at least been par~
tially substituted ~or hydrogen atoms. Suitable resins for core materials are also disclosed in U. SO Paten~
3,5569635 and U~ S. Patent 3,77996~7.
The diameter of the cylindrical optically transparent core varies from rela-tively thin to rela-tively thick core constructionsO A suitable diameter range is 0.1 to ~ mm. Thicker core constructions .
.
can also be used but tend to introduce undesirable bulkiness~ Also~ attenuation tends to increase with unduly thick cores, A relatively thick core has the advantage in the ability to capture a greater proportion of in-ciden~ light if the light source is large, e.g., from a L$D (light emitting diode). However~ if a light source is small, e~g.~ a laser~ a relatively thin core is preferred in capturing inciden~ light.
The sheath material for application to th~ optic-10 ally transparent core is substantîally ~morphous and trans-parent with an index of refraction at least 0~1% lower than the core material~ These properties of the sheath reduce scattering of light which would otherwise result in an increase of attenuation of transmitted light.
Examples of suitable sheath materials include those disclosed in British Patent Specification 19037,498 such as polymers and interpolymers o~ vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroeth~lene, hexafluoro-propylene, trifluoromethyltrifluorovinyl ether~ per-20 fluoropropyl~rifluorovinyl e~her and fluorinatedesters of acrylic or Inethacrylic acids having the structure X(CF2)n(CH2)mOC ~ G - GH2 o Y
wherein X is selected from the group consisting of F~
H~ or Cl, and n is an integer of from 2 to 10~ m is an integer from 1 to 6 and Y is either CH~ or H~
~ 3~7 ~
Since the sheath material reflects li~ht traveling through the core7 -the thickness of the sheath is not generally critical~ Normally, a thickness of at least two times the wave-length of light travelling through the core is employedO
An example of a suitable range of thic~ness of the sheath is 2 to 500 micronsO Excessive sheathing thicknesses can reduce ~lexibility of the final cable.
Formation of the optical filamentary material of the core and its sheath is generally by coextrusion techniques which are well known in the art such as disclosed in U. S~ Patents 3,458,615 and 3,646,186.
The optical filGmentary material with its optically ~ransparen~ core and lower index of refraction sheath is protected by a jacket since in handling and in many uses damage ~o the filamentary material could otherwise occur. Such damage either results in an increase of attenuation of ~ransmitted light or, even worse, breakage in the optical filamentary material.
In the present invention the jacket comprises a polymer which is applied by extrusion at a tempera-ture at least equal to the second order transition temperature of the core material. The application o~
such polymer directly to the optical filamentary material ~ the optically-transparent core and lower index o refraction sheath has been found to increase attenuation of light transmi~ted through the core. The extrusion `-temperature necessary to apply the pol~ner produces a detrimental effect on the abiliky of optical fil~nentary 30 material ko transmit light.
0~ 7 To overcome this effect of heat, it is re~
quired in the present invention to employ a heat shield which ther~ally protects the filamentary material during extrusion of the jacketing polymer~ The heat shield comprises a material which can be applied to the optical filamentary material without application of exces-sive heat ~i.e., at a temperature below ~he Tg of the core) and is capable o~ remaining a solid at the extrusion tempera~
ture of the jacketing pol-~er. Preferably~ the heat shield is applied as a preformed material which means it is a solid prior to, during9 and after its applicati~n to the optical filamentary materialO
The preformed material can be shaped at the time of its application to the optic fiber material9 e~g., by weaving fibers around ~he sheath. Alternatively -a tube can be positioned around the optically transpar-ent filamentary material~ The thickness of the pre-formed material is sufficient to protect the thermo~
plastic optically transparent core from excessiv~ hea.t when the jacketing polymer is applied until the jacketing polymer has been cooled externallyO
Suitable materials of construction to form the heat shield include polyesters~ po~yamide~ in~luding aramids, polyolefinc (homopolymers and copolymers), acrylics and cellulosic materials~ Examples are nylon7 wool, cotton9 polyethylene and polypropylene. Considerations which govern the choice of material employed in the heat shield include the degree of protection from heat to be impar-ted from a thickness of shielding, and desired characteristics in the final cable including strength~ elongation, burning 3o characteristics9 and ease of s-tripping ,............... .
~ ~ 3~ ~
It is understood that the heat shield need not contact the sheath (or an outer jacket layer~.
The heat shield can be bonded to the sheath by use of adhesive.
A jacket applied by extrusion at a tempera-ture at least equal to the second order transition ~emperature o~ the thermoplastic core is positioned ex~
~erior of the heat shield. Since the primary purpose of a jacketing polymer is to protect the optical fila-mentary material~ the governing factor in the choiceof a suitable polymer i5 an ability of a polymer to be applied by an extrusion technique (at an eleva-ted temperature at least equal to the Tg of the core).
Extrusion techniques for application of such polymers are conventional and well known in the art. Suitable polymers for the jacket include polyamide~ polyurethanes3 copolyetheresters~ polycarbonates, polyolefins (homopolymers and copolymers includin~ ionomers) such as ~olye-thylene and polypropylene and melt extrudable fluorocarbons such as ~etrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymers.
Further considerations which govern the choice of jacketing polymers are properties desired in the final cable. These considerations include those in selection of the material for the heat shield such as strength, elongation, burnin~ rate and ease of strippabîlity~ For example, ~ood s~ri~pabili~y is needed for ease in connecting one cable to another and in connecting a cable to a li~ht source or detector.
It is within the scope of ~he present inven-tion that more than one jac~e~ be applied exterior vf .
, . .
~ 3 ~ ~
the heat shield. For purposes of illustration, a~irst jacketing polymer with a relatively low extrusion temperature could be applied to the heat shield followed by application of a second jae~eting polymer at a rela-tively high extrusion tempera~ureO In such case9 the ~irst jacketing pol~mer would aid in providing ther~al protection for the optical filamentary material while the second pol~mer is extrudedO
Tc further illustrate the present invention9 the following examples are provided.
Exam~
Part A -__ .
A starting optical filamentary material of a core of polymethyl methacrylate and a lower refractive index substantially amorphous transparent polymeric sheath of meth~Jl methacrylate and fluorinated esters of methacrylic acid (Tg of 50C. and refractive index 60~
lower than core) was employed. The a-ttenuation of -this optical filamentary material was 490 dB per kilome~er -20 at 655.3 nm.
A 20~ cm extruder was set up with a crosshead tubing type die e~uipped with a guide 1005 mm ID~ 2~32 mm OD and a 3~75 mm die. Six yarn tensioners were equally spaced around a 7 cm circle abo~e the guide opening and were strung ~th a 22 tex (195 denier) zero twist yarn of fibers of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide!~ i The yarns were strung through a stainless steel needle 1.2 mm ID and 1.62 mm OD~ This needle was put into the - -entrance of the guide and the yarns pulled through the hole in the guide throu~h a-water quench ~ank to a 30 variable speed puller~
9.
. .. ' ~ 3~ 6 The ex-truder was heated to 175C~ and an ionic copolymer o~ ethylene and 15 weight o~0 methacrylic acid having 20~ of carboxylic acid groups neutralized by zinc ions ~Melt flow index 1~7 AS~I D-1238 9 190C. 9 2.60 g~ Condition F) was introduced into an exkruder at low speedO ~hen this ionic copol~mer appeared at the extruder outlet, the puller was started. The die was adjusted to center the yarns interior of the ionic co--polymer being extruded as a tube. Ta~eoff speed was 10 raised to 58 meters/minute and the ext~uder speed ad- -justed to give a tube about 0.9 mm ODo A~ this ~time the melt temperature ~as at 160C~ Into the needle the opt-ical filamentary material encircled by the fibers of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) was fed and incorp-orated into the center of the ionic copolymer tube.
This material had an attenuation of 500 dB
per kilometer at 655.3 nrn.
Part B --The material of Part A ~las o~ercoated with -~-20 copolyetherester (disclosed in Example 1 of U. S~ P.
3,651,014) by extrusion employing a melt temperature of 185C. The cable had an outer diameter of about 1.25 mm~
The attenuation was ~90 dB per kilometer at 6S5O3 n~O
Control for ~xam le 1 The procedure of Example 1 P~rt A was follo~ed except a yarn o~ fibers of poly(p phenylene terephthal-amide) was not employedO
The attenuation of this product was 1800 dB
30 per kilometer at 655O3 nm.
lOo ~ '7 Exam~le_2 The procedure of' Example 1 Part A was fQllowed including application of` the ionic copolymer disclosed in Example 1 except in place of the f'ibers poly(p-phenylene kerephthalamide) khree :L55 -tex (1~00 denier) Dacron~ polyester were used~ ~
The attenuation of this produc~ was 600 dB - ,.
per kilometer at 655.3 nm~
-, . ,~ ~ " ,~
! `
Reprssentative core materials include acrylic and polystyrene homopolymers and copol~mers including those disclosed in British Pa~ent 1,037,498 e~g~, acrylic resins which include polyalkyl meth-acrylates and copolymers thereof containing at least 70 percent by weight of units derived from an alkyl methacrylate, where the alkyl groups contain from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such a~ polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polypropyl methacrylate~ poly-butyl methacrylate, polyisobutyl me~hacrylate andpolycyclohexyl methacrylate and interpolymers thereoE.
Copolymers of units derived from methyl methacrylate and up to 30 weigh-t percent by weigh-t of units derived ~rom ethyl acryla-te or methyl acrylate? and up to 15 weight percent by weight of units derived from 2 ethyl hexyl acrylate are examples of useful polymers~
Polymethyl methacrylate and copolymers thereof con-taining at least 70 percent by weight polymethyl methacrylate are preferred because they are readil~
available in high quality at a moderate cost and are very transparent. ~lso useful are those optically transparent polymers in which deuterium atoms have at least been par~
tially substituted ~or hydrogen atoms. Suitable resins for core materials are also disclosed in U. SO Paten~
3,5569635 and U~ S. Patent 3,77996~7.
The diameter of the cylindrical optically transparent core varies from rela-tively thin to rela-tively thick core constructionsO A suitable diameter range is 0.1 to ~ mm. Thicker core constructions .
.
can also be used but tend to introduce undesirable bulkiness~ Also~ attenuation tends to increase with unduly thick cores, A relatively thick core has the advantage in the ability to capture a greater proportion of in-ciden~ light if the light source is large, e.g., from a L$D (light emitting diode). However~ if a light source is small, e~g.~ a laser~ a relatively thin core is preferred in capturing inciden~ light.
The sheath material for application to th~ optic-10 ally transparent core is substantîally ~morphous and trans-parent with an index of refraction at least 0~1% lower than the core material~ These properties of the sheath reduce scattering of light which would otherwise result in an increase of attenuation of transmitted light.
Examples of suitable sheath materials include those disclosed in British Patent Specification 19037,498 such as polymers and interpolymers o~ vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroeth~lene, hexafluoro-propylene, trifluoromethyltrifluorovinyl ether~ per-20 fluoropropyl~rifluorovinyl e~her and fluorinatedesters of acrylic or Inethacrylic acids having the structure X(CF2)n(CH2)mOC ~ G - GH2 o Y
wherein X is selected from the group consisting of F~
H~ or Cl, and n is an integer of from 2 to 10~ m is an integer from 1 to 6 and Y is either CH~ or H~
~ 3~7 ~
Since the sheath material reflects li~ht traveling through the core7 -the thickness of the sheath is not generally critical~ Normally, a thickness of at least two times the wave-length of light travelling through the core is employedO
An example of a suitable range of thic~ness of the sheath is 2 to 500 micronsO Excessive sheathing thicknesses can reduce ~lexibility of the final cable.
Formation of the optical filamentary material of the core and its sheath is generally by coextrusion techniques which are well known in the art such as disclosed in U. S~ Patents 3,458,615 and 3,646,186.
The optical filGmentary material with its optically ~ransparen~ core and lower index of refraction sheath is protected by a jacket since in handling and in many uses damage ~o the filamentary material could otherwise occur. Such damage either results in an increase of attenuation of ~ransmitted light or, even worse, breakage in the optical filamentary material.
In the present invention the jacket comprises a polymer which is applied by extrusion at a tempera-ture at least equal to the second order transition temperature of the core material. The application o~
such polymer directly to the optical filamentary material ~ the optically-transparent core and lower index o refraction sheath has been found to increase attenuation of light transmi~ted through the core. The extrusion `-temperature necessary to apply the pol~ner produces a detrimental effect on the abiliky of optical fil~nentary 30 material ko transmit light.
0~ 7 To overcome this effect of heat, it is re~
quired in the present invention to employ a heat shield which ther~ally protects the filamentary material during extrusion of the jacketing polymer~ The heat shield comprises a material which can be applied to the optical filamentary material without application of exces-sive heat ~i.e., at a temperature below ~he Tg of the core) and is capable o~ remaining a solid at the extrusion tempera~
ture of the jacketing pol-~er. Preferably~ the heat shield is applied as a preformed material which means it is a solid prior to, during9 and after its applicati~n to the optical filamentary materialO
The preformed material can be shaped at the time of its application to the optic fiber material9 e~g., by weaving fibers around ~he sheath. Alternatively -a tube can be positioned around the optically transpar-ent filamentary material~ The thickness of the pre-formed material is sufficient to protect the thermo~
plastic optically transparent core from excessiv~ hea.t when the jacketing polymer is applied until the jacketing polymer has been cooled externallyO
Suitable materials of construction to form the heat shield include polyesters~ po~yamide~ in~luding aramids, polyolefinc (homopolymers and copolymers), acrylics and cellulosic materials~ Examples are nylon7 wool, cotton9 polyethylene and polypropylene. Considerations which govern the choice of material employed in the heat shield include the degree of protection from heat to be impar-ted from a thickness of shielding, and desired characteristics in the final cable including strength~ elongation, burning 3o characteristics9 and ease of s-tripping ,............... .
~ ~ 3~ ~
It is understood that the heat shield need not contact the sheath (or an outer jacket layer~.
The heat shield can be bonded to the sheath by use of adhesive.
A jacket applied by extrusion at a tempera-ture at least equal to the second order transition ~emperature o~ the thermoplastic core is positioned ex~
~erior of the heat shield. Since the primary purpose of a jacketing polymer is to protect the optical fila-mentary material~ the governing factor in the choiceof a suitable polymer i5 an ability of a polymer to be applied by an extrusion technique (at an eleva-ted temperature at least equal to the Tg of the core).
Extrusion techniques for application of such polymers are conventional and well known in the art. Suitable polymers for the jacket include polyamide~ polyurethanes3 copolyetheresters~ polycarbonates, polyolefins (homopolymers and copolymers includin~ ionomers) such as ~olye-thylene and polypropylene and melt extrudable fluorocarbons such as ~etrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymers.
Further considerations which govern the choice of jacketing polymers are properties desired in the final cable. These considerations include those in selection of the material for the heat shield such as strength, elongation, burnin~ rate and ease of strippabîlity~ For example, ~ood s~ri~pabili~y is needed for ease in connecting one cable to another and in connecting a cable to a li~ht source or detector.
It is within the scope of ~he present inven-tion that more than one jac~e~ be applied exterior vf .
, . .
~ 3 ~ ~
the heat shield. For purposes of illustration, a~irst jacketing polymer with a relatively low extrusion temperature could be applied to the heat shield followed by application of a second jae~eting polymer at a rela-tively high extrusion tempera~ureO In such case9 the ~irst jacketing pol~mer would aid in providing ther~al protection for the optical filamentary material while the second pol~mer is extrudedO
Tc further illustrate the present invention9 the following examples are provided.
Exam~
Part A -__ .
A starting optical filamentary material of a core of polymethyl methacrylate and a lower refractive index substantially amorphous transparent polymeric sheath of meth~Jl methacrylate and fluorinated esters of methacrylic acid (Tg of 50C. and refractive index 60~
lower than core) was employed. The a-ttenuation of -this optical filamentary material was 490 dB per kilome~er -20 at 655.3 nm.
A 20~ cm extruder was set up with a crosshead tubing type die e~uipped with a guide 1005 mm ID~ 2~32 mm OD and a 3~75 mm die. Six yarn tensioners were equally spaced around a 7 cm circle abo~e the guide opening and were strung ~th a 22 tex (195 denier) zero twist yarn of fibers of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide!~ i The yarns were strung through a stainless steel needle 1.2 mm ID and 1.62 mm OD~ This needle was put into the - -entrance of the guide and the yarns pulled through the hole in the guide throu~h a-water quench ~ank to a 30 variable speed puller~
9.
. .. ' ~ 3~ 6 The ex-truder was heated to 175C~ and an ionic copolymer o~ ethylene and 15 weight o~0 methacrylic acid having 20~ of carboxylic acid groups neutralized by zinc ions ~Melt flow index 1~7 AS~I D-1238 9 190C. 9 2.60 g~ Condition F) was introduced into an exkruder at low speedO ~hen this ionic copol~mer appeared at the extruder outlet, the puller was started. The die was adjusted to center the yarns interior of the ionic co--polymer being extruded as a tube. Ta~eoff speed was 10 raised to 58 meters/minute and the ext~uder speed ad- -justed to give a tube about 0.9 mm ODo A~ this ~time the melt temperature ~as at 160C~ Into the needle the opt-ical filamentary material encircled by the fibers of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) was fed and incorp-orated into the center of the ionic copolymer tube.
This material had an attenuation of 500 dB
per kilometer at 655.3 nrn.
Part B --The material of Part A ~las o~ercoated with -~-20 copolyetherester (disclosed in Example 1 of U. S~ P.
3,651,014) by extrusion employing a melt temperature of 185C. The cable had an outer diameter of about 1.25 mm~
The attenuation was ~90 dB per kilometer at 6S5O3 n~O
Control for ~xam le 1 The procedure of Example 1 P~rt A was follo~ed except a yarn o~ fibers of poly(p phenylene terephthal-amide) was not employedO
The attenuation of this product was 1800 dB
30 per kilometer at 655O3 nm.
lOo ~ '7 Exam~le_2 The procedure of' Example 1 Part A was fQllowed including application of` the ionic copolymer disclosed in Example 1 except in place of the f'ibers poly(p-phenylene kerephthalamide) khree :L55 -tex (1~00 denier) Dacron~ polyester were used~ ~
The attenuation of this produc~ was 600 dB - ,.
per kilometer at 655.3 nm~
-, . ,~ ~ " ,~
! `
Claims
1. In a cable for transmission of light comprising (a) a cylindrical core of a substantially amorphous optically transparent thermo-plastic polymeric material, (b) a substantially amorphous transparent poly-meric sheath for (a) having an index of refraction at least 0.1% lower, and (c) an extruded polymer jacket which is exterior of (a) and (b);
the improvement comprising (i) use in (a) of an optically trans-parent material having a second order transition temperature from 80°C.
to 140°C.;
(ii) employment of a heat shield between (b) and (c);
(iii) use in (c) of a polymer extruded at a temperature at least equal to the second order transition temperature of the material used in (i).
the improvement comprising (i) use in (a) of an optically trans-parent material having a second order transition temperature from 80°C.
to 140°C.;
(ii) employment of a heat shield between (b) and (c);
(iii) use in (c) of a polymer extruded at a temperature at least equal to the second order transition temperature of the material used in (i).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US72262976A | 1976-09-13 | 1976-09-13 | |
US722,629 | 1976-09-13 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA1093876A true CA1093876A (en) | 1981-01-20 |
Family
ID=24902676
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA286,480A Expired CA1093876A (en) | 1976-09-13 | 1977-09-12 | Jacketed optical filamentary material with thermoplastic core |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
JP (2) | JPS5336246A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1093876A (en) |
DE (1) | DE2741153C2 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2364472A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1565724A (en) |
IT (1) | IT1114146B (en) |
NL (1) | NL185541C (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4304462A (en) * | 1980-04-16 | 1981-12-08 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army | Thermal hardened fiber optic cables |
JPS5818608A (en) * | 1981-07-28 | 1983-02-03 | Mitsubishi Rayon Co Ltd | Light transmitting fiber and its manufacture |
JPS5893003A (en) * | 1981-11-27 | 1983-06-02 | Mitsubishi Rayon Co Ltd | Light transmissive fiber and its production |
JPS59212804A (en) * | 1983-05-18 | 1984-12-01 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Plastic optical fiber |
DE3319536C1 (en) * | 1983-05-28 | 1984-11-22 | Dynamit Nobel Ag, 5210 Troisdorf | Plastic optical fiber |
DE3400605A1 (en) * | 1984-01-10 | 1985-08-29 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | OPTICAL TRANSMISSION ELEMENT |
JPS60186808A (en) * | 1984-03-06 | 1985-09-24 | Sumitomo Chem Co Ltd | Optical transmission fiber |
EP0178373B1 (en) * | 1984-10-12 | 1989-11-15 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Protective coating for at least one optical fibre |
JPH0664219B2 (en) * | 1984-12-12 | 1994-08-22 | 住友化学工業株式会社 | Optical communication cable |
DE3513592A1 (en) * | 1985-04-16 | 1986-10-16 | AEG KABEL AG, 4050 Mönchengladbach | OPTICAL FIBER |
JPH029501U (en) * | 1988-06-20 | 1990-01-22 | ||
JPH0251301U (en) * | 1988-10-05 | 1990-04-11 | ||
JP2004341489A (en) * | 2003-04-25 | 2004-12-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd | Optical member with protective layer, manufacturing method, and manufacturing device |
US11243365B2 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2022-02-08 | The Boeing Company | Methods for providing flammability protection for plastic optical fiber |
WO2022238860A1 (en) * | 2021-05-12 | 2022-11-17 | Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation | Transparent sheath filament |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1037498A (en) * | 1965-06-14 | 1966-07-27 | Du Pont | Light transmitting filaments |
US3458615A (en) * | 1967-04-18 | 1969-07-29 | Du Pont | Hydrodynamically centering sheath/core filament spinnerette |
US3556635A (en) * | 1967-05-23 | 1971-01-19 | Dow Chemical Co | Fiber optic bundle |
US3646186A (en) * | 1970-06-05 | 1972-02-29 | Du Pont | Process for producing continuous round jacketed lightguides |
US3773449A (en) * | 1970-06-05 | 1973-11-20 | Du Pont | Apparatus for producing continuous round jacketed lightguides |
US3779627A (en) * | 1971-05-17 | 1973-12-18 | Bell Telephone Labor Inc | Optical transmission line elements utilizing fluorinated polymers |
JPS50156045U (en) * | 1974-06-11 | 1975-12-24 | ||
JPS5156643A (en) * | 1974-11-13 | 1976-05-18 | Sumitomo Electric Industries | |
US4113349A (en) * | 1975-07-30 | 1978-09-12 | Air Logistics Corporation | Fiber reinforced optical fiber cable |
-
1977
- 1977-09-12 IT IT27462/77A patent/IT1114146B/en active
- 1977-09-12 CA CA286,480A patent/CA1093876A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-09-12 JP JP10887177A patent/JPS5336246A/en active Granted
- 1977-09-12 GB GB37974/77A patent/GB1565724A/en not_active Expired
- 1977-09-13 FR FR7727588A patent/FR2364472A1/en active Granted
- 1977-09-13 DE DE2741153A patent/DE2741153C2/en not_active Expired
- 1977-09-13 NL NLAANVRAGE7710035,A patent/NL185541C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1982
- 1982-08-27 JP JP57149021A patent/JPS5844403A/en active Granted
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NL7710035A (en) | 1978-03-15 |
NL185541C (en) | 1990-05-01 |
JPS6110802B2 (en) | 1986-03-31 |
DE2741153C2 (en) | 1985-11-28 |
GB1565724A (en) | 1980-04-23 |
JPS6160404B2 (en) | 1986-12-20 |
JPS5336246A (en) | 1978-04-04 |
NL185541B (en) | 1989-12-01 |
FR2364472B1 (en) | 1982-02-26 |
DE2741153A1 (en) | 1978-03-16 |
FR2364472A1 (en) | 1978-04-07 |
IT1114146B (en) | 1986-01-27 |
JPS5844403A (en) | 1983-03-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA1093876A (en) | Jacketed optical filamentary material with thermoplastic core | |
US20210132315A1 (en) | Optical communication cable | |
US4331378A (en) | Reinforced optical fiber cable with glass or silica core | |
US9678290B2 (en) | Fiber optic cable assembly including a connector assembly | |
EP0112564B1 (en) | Plastic optical fiber | |
US5016973A (en) | Cable reinforcement for an optical fiber cable | |
US8422843B2 (en) | Multi-fiber fiber optic cable | |
US6553167B2 (en) | Fiber optic cables having ultra-low shrinking filaments and methods of making the same | |
US6597844B1 (en) | Loose tube cable having an easily removable buffer tube binder for cable access | |
US4828359A (en) | Alkyl methacrylate homo - or copolymer optical waveguide for illumination and production of the same | |
US4261936A (en) | Jacketed optical filamentary material with thermoplastic core | |
USRE32436E (en) | Reinforced optical fiber cable with glass or silica core | |
CA1177296B (en) | Reinforced optical fiber cable with glass or silica core | |
US11428883B2 (en) | Multilayer drop cable with optical fiber | |
JP2005037641A (en) | Optical fiber cable | |
CA1290602C (en) | Optical waveguide for illumination and production of the same | |
JPS63236004A (en) | Core-clad type optical fiber | |
JP2951677B2 (en) | Plastic optical fiber cord | |
WO2020081411A1 (en) | Multilayer low attenuation drop cable | |
JPH02163711A (en) | Light transmission cable having excellent bending characteristic | |
JPH02208610A (en) | Plastic optical fiber cord | |
JP2000231045A (en) | Plastic optical fiber cable | |
JPH11194220A (en) | Plastic multi-optical fiber and cable | |
RU98110261A (en) | FIBER OPTICAL CABLE |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MKEX | Expiry |