CN111448170B

CN111448170B - Improved method of applying ink layers to optical fibers

Info

Publication number: CN111448170B
Application number: CN201880079609.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·C·布克班德; R·C·莫尔; D·A·斯坦纳; P·坦登; R·坦登; M·J·托德
Original assignee: Corning Inc
Current assignee: Corning Inc
Priority date: 2017-12-07
Filing date: 2018-12-07
Publication date: 2022-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-07
Also published as: CN111448170A; NL2020318B1

Abstract

Optical fibers and their manufacture are provided. The optical fiber includes an optical waveguide and a cured primary coating surrounding the optical waveguide. The optical fiber further includes a cured secondary coating surrounding the cured primary coating. The optical fiber further includes a cured tertiary ink coating surrounding the cured secondary coating. Glass transition temperature (T) of cured triple ink coating_g-ink) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃.

Description

Improved method of applying ink layers to optical fibers

This application claims priority to dutch patent application No. 2020318 filed on 25.1.2018, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/595,799 filed on 7.12.2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of optical fibers and their manufacture, and more particularly, to the addition of an outer ink layer having a high modulus that promotes abrasion and puncture resistance properties of the optical fibers.

Background

Optical fibers typically have a glass core that is fabricated from a body of glass often referred to as a preform. Using a process known in the art as "drawing," a glass preform is placed at the top of an optical fiber draw tower, wherein an optical fiber is heated in a furnace to a temperature high enough to soften the bottom portion of the preform, wherein the softened material is drawn through a series of steps to form an optical fiber glass core. The glass core is typically surrounded by an additional glass layer having a lower refractive index than the core. These surrounding layers are generally referred to as cladding layers. The glass core and surrounding cladding are commonly referred to as an "optical waveguide".

There are often two or more superimposed polymer layers above the cladding layer, which form a coating system. Typically, the coating system is applied directly to the optical waveguide during the drawing process. The coating is in direct contact with the optical waveguide or glass core such that the coating can help absorb forces applied to the coated optical fiber. Subsequent coating-related losses provide protection against microbending that can result in attenuation of the signal transmission capability of the coated glass optical fiber.

Improvements in the process for coating optical waveguides and changes in the chemistry and resulting properties of the coating have a surprising effect on the final optical fiber produced.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment, an optical fiber is provided. The optical fiber includes an optical waveguide and a cured ink coating surrounding the optical waveguide. The cured ink coating includes a colorant and has a glass transition temperature (T)_g-ink) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃.

According to another embodiment, an optical fiber is provided. The optical fiber includes an optical waveguide, a via surrounding the optical waveguideA cured primary coating, and a cured secondary coating surrounding the cured primary coating, wherein the cured secondary coating has a glass transition temperature (T;)_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃. The optical fiber further includes a cured tertiary ink coating surrounding the cured secondary coating, the cured tertiary ink coating including a colorant, wherein the cured tertiary ink coating has a glass transition temperature (T;)_g-ink) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃.

According to another embodiment, a method for manufacturing an optical fiber is provided. The method comprises the following steps: drawing an optical waveguide from a glass preform, applying a secondary coating to surround the optical waveguide, curing the secondary coating to form a cured secondary coating, applying an ink coating to surround the secondary coating using an ink application device, the ink layer coating including a colorant, and curing the ink coating to form a cured ink coating. Glass transition temperature (T) of cured ink coating_g-ink) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃, and the optical waveguide is drawn at a rate greater than 30 m/s. Temperature (T) of cured secondary coating entering ink layer applicator_{Two times}) Less than or equal to T_g-ink+40 ℃. In some embodiments, the temperature (T) of the cured secondary coating entering the ink layer applicator_{Two times}) Less than or equal to T_g-ink+20 ℃. In other embodiments, the temperature (T) of the cured secondary coating entering the ink layer applicator_{Two times}) Less than or equal to T_g-ink+10 ℃. In other embodiments, the temperature (T) of the cured secondary coating entering the ink layer applicator_{Two times}) Less than or equal to T_g-ink。

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claims. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the various embodiments.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an optical fiber according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a draw tower for making optical fiber according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

4A-4D provide various cross-sectional views of an optical fiber taken at some point along the method of manufacturing the optical fiber shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing an optical fiber;

FIG. 6 shows a graph of modulus and Tan δ measurements for three ink coatings provided in examples 1-3; and

FIG. 7 shows a plot of the modulus and Tan δ measurements for three ink coatings in examples 4-7.

Detailed Description

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the detailed description which follows, together with the claims and appended drawings.

As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B and/or C, the composition may contain a alone; only contains B; only contains C; a combination comprising A and B; a combination comprising A and C; a combination comprising B and C; or a combination comprising A, B and C.

As used herein, "UV" refers to ultraviolet light.

Referring to fig. 1-7, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an optical fiber. The optical fiber 10 includes an optical waveguide 14 and a cured primary coating 18 surrounding the optical waveguide 14. The optical fiber 10 also includes a cured secondary coating 22 surrounding the cured primary coating 18. The optical fiber 10 also includes a cured tertiary ink coating 26 surrounding the cured secondary coating 22. The cured three-pass ink coating 26 includes an ink coating glass transition temperature (T) of greater than or equal to 75 ℃_g-inks)。

Conventional optical fiber manufacturing techniques require the application of two or more UV-curable acrylate polymers provided as coatings to provide bend and damage resistance to the optical fiber. Additional coatings, such as ink layers for identifying the type of fiber, are applied in a separate off-line process. These separate off-line processes contribute to increased cost and decreased efficiency in producing conventionally manufactured optical fibers. The process disclosed herein applies the cured three coats of ink 26 during the draw process to eliminate additional off-line process steps, thus reducing the manufacturing cost of the optical fiber 10. The processing and resulting properties of the ink coating layer 26 are discussed herein as these properties can affect optical fiber performance characteristics, such as winding defects and adhesion performance when used in a tape.

Referring to fig. 1, a side view of an optical fiber 10 is provided. The fiber 10 has a centerline AC and a radial coordinate r. The optical fiber 10 includes an optical waveguide 14 surrounded by a cured primary coating 18 and/or an optical waveguide 14 connected to the cured primary coating 18. The cured secondary coating 22 is positioned around the cured primary coating 18. The cured tertiary ink coating 26 provides the outermost surface of the optical fiber 10 by covering and surrounding the cured secondary coating 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided. The optical fiber 10 includes a radius r₁Is provided with a radius r₂Surrounding and/or connected to the cured primary coating 18. The cured secondary coating 22 has a radius r₃And positioned around the cured primary coating 18. The cured three-pass ink coating 26 has a radius r_{Maximum of}And which is secured by covering and surroundingThe metallized secondary coating 22 provides the outermost surface of the optical fiber 10. The radius r of the optical waveguide 14 depends on the desired application or property of the optical fiber 10₁Radius r of the cured primary coating 18, which may be 62.5 microns or may be in the range of 40 microns to 70 microns₂Radius r of the cured secondary coating 22, which may be in the range of 75 microns to 100 microns₃May be in the range of 80 microns to 120 microns and the radius r of the cured three ink coatings 26_{Maximum of}And may be in the range of 120 microns to 135 microns.

First polymer layer 18 or cured primary coating 18 is positioned adjacent optical waveguide 14 and typically exhibits a low young's modulus that renders the layer flexible so that it can act as an absorbing layer to prevent thermal and mechanical stress transfer in the cable from affecting optical waveguide 14. The cured primary coating 18 may have a layer thickness of 5 to 45 microns. The second polymer layer 22 or cured secondary coating 22 is positioned around the cured primary coating and typically exhibits a high young's modulus, such that the layer is hard and abrasion resistant. The cured secondary coating 22 may have a layer thickness of 5 to 40 microns. The third polymer layer 26 or cured tertiary ink coating 26 is typically a thin polymer layer containing ink that is applied on the outside of the optical fiber 10 for identification purposes. The cured tertiary ink coating 26 may have a layer thickness of 2 microns to 10 microns. The cured tertiary ink coating 26 has a high young's modulus, which additionally promotes the abrasion and puncture resistance properties of the optical fiber.

Optical waveguide 14 of optical fiber 10 may include a core or a core and one or more cladding layers. The one or more cladding layers may include an inner cladding layer and an outer cladding layer that may cooperate to form a cladding layer disposed about the core. The core may be composed of pure silica, doped silica (e.g., doped with germanium, aluminum, and/or chlorine), and/or other optically transparent materials. The one or more cladding layers may be composed of pure silica, doped silica (e.g., fluorine and/or boron), or other optically transparent material. The optical fiber 10 may be a single mode optical fiber or may be a multimode optical fiber. The core may have a higher refractive index than the one or more cladding layers. The relative refractive index change or delta (delta) of the core relative to the one or more cladding layers may be in the range of about 0.2% to about 3.0%, for example, about 0.34%, about 0.5%, about 1.0%, about 1.5%, about 2.0%, about 2.5%, or about 3.0%. The cladding may be a composite (e.g., the inner cladding consists of glass and the outer cladding consists of glass or a polymer). The material of the one or more cladding layers may have a lower refractive index than the core. It should be understood that the optical fiber 10 as described herein may simply be a connector or connector to another, longer or larger optical fiber.

The shape and size of the core may be formed in a pre-forming stage of the optical fiber 10, and the core of the pre-form may have a specific geometry for maintaining the core surface of the core during production of the optical fiber 10. The core may have a diameter, which is the largest linear dimension or width of the cross-section, which is about 6 μm, about 7 μm, about 8 μm, about 9 μm, about 10 μm, about 11 μm, about 12 μm, about 13 μm, about 14 μm, or about 50 μm. The diameter of the core may be sufficiently large such that the mode field diameter of the core is approximately the diameter of a single mode optical fiber. The diameter of the core may also be configured for a particular design purpose to have a large or small mode field diameter. The diameter of optical waveguide 14 may be greater than about 80 μm, greater than about 100 μm, greater than about 110 μm, greater than about 120 μm, greater than about 130 μm, or greater than about 140 μm. In some embodiments, the diameter of the optical waveguide 14 may be about 125 μm.

The cured primary coating 18 of the optical fiber 10 may have a low young's modulus to give the material a relatively soft feel. The cured primary coating 18 may act as an absorbing layer and may prevent the transfer of induced thermal and mechanical stresses to the optical waveguide 14. The cured primary coating 18 may be formed from a variety of different UV curable monomer systems (e.g., acrylates) to produce a polymer layer having a low modulus at room temperature. In some embodiments, the young's modulus of the cured primary coating 18 may be less than about 5.0MPa at room temperature, less than about 2.0MPa at room temperature, less than about 1.5MPa at room temperature, less than about 1.0MPa at room temperature, or less than about 0.5MPa at room temperature. The final material properties of the cured primary coating 18 may vary based on the monomer system used, the amount of curing, and/or the reaction conditions (e.g., temperature).

The cured secondary coating 22 of the optical fiber 10 may have a higher young's modulus than the cured primary coating 18, wherein the cured secondary coating 22 is relatively hard and abrasion resistant. The cured secondary coating 22 may additionally serve to prevent the transfer of induced thermal and mechanical stresses to the optical waveguide 14. In some embodiments, the cured secondary coating 22 may have a young's modulus greater than about 250MPa at room temperature, greater than about 500MPa at room temperature, greater than about 750MPa at room temperature, greater than about 1000MPa at room temperature, greater than about 1250MPa at room temperature, or greater than about 1500MPa at room temperature. The cured secondary coating 22 includes a secondary coating glass transition temperature (T)_{g-two times}). Glass transition temperature (T) of secondary coating_{g-two times}) Described is the temperature at which a reversible transition occurs in an amorphous material (or in amorphous regions in a semi-crystalline material), wherein as the temperature increases, the material changes from a hard and relatively brittle "glass" state to a viscous or rubbery state. In some embodiments, the secondary coating has a glass transition temperature (T)_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 55 ℃. In other embodiments, the secondary coating has a glass transition temperature (T)_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 65 ℃, greater than or equal to 75 ℃, greater than or equal to 85 ℃, greater than or equal to 100 ℃, less than or equal to 120 ℃, or less than or equal to 110 ℃.

Cured three-pass ink coating 26 or cured ink layer 26 is the outermost layer of optical fiber 10 and may be applied to cured secondary coating 22 for identification purposes and/or for additional protection of optical waveguide 14. The cured tertiary ink coating 26 may additionally have a high young's modulus such that it may promote abrasion and/or puncture resistance of the optical fiber 10. In some embodiments, the young's modulus of the cured three-pass ink coating 26 may be greater than about 500MPa at room temperature, greater than about 750MPa at room temperature, greater than about 1000MPa at room temperature, greater than about 1250MPa at room temperature, greater than about 1500MPa at room temperature, greater than about 1750MPa at room temperature, or greater than about 2000MPa at room temperature. The cured three ink coats 26 include an ink coat glass transition temperature (T;)_g-ink). Ink coatingLayer glass transition temperature (T)_g-ink) Described is the temperature at which a reversible transition occurs in an amorphous material (or in amorphous regions in a semi-crystalline material), wherein as the temperature increases, the material changes from a hard and relatively brittle "glass" state to a viscous or rubbery state. In some embodiments, the ink coating has a glass transition temperature (T)_g-inks) Greater than or equal to 65 ℃, greater than or equal to 75 ℃, greater than or equal to 85 ℃, greater than or equal to 95 ℃, greater than or equal to 105 ℃, less than or equal to 120 ℃, less than or equal to 110 ℃, or less than or equal to 100 ℃. In other embodiments, the ink coating has a glass transition temperature (T)_g-inks) May be greater than or equal to 65 ℃ but less than or equal to 120 ℃, may be greater than or equal to 75 ℃ but less than or equal to 120 ℃, may be greater than or equal to 85 ℃ but less than or equal to 120 ℃, may be greater than or equal to 95 ℃ but less than or equal to 120 ℃, or may be greater than or equal to 105 ℃ but less than or equal to 120 ℃.

As explained below, in FIGS. 3-7, and in the examples, applying and curing three ink coatings 56 at higher temperatures results in a more efficient and complete curing reaction to achieve a higher T_g-inks. Selective selection and use of the exotherm of the curing reaction (-ah)_rxn) Influence T_g-inkAnd the corresponding material properties of the primary material 48 and the secondary material 56 that are cured to form the cured primary coating 18 and the cured secondary coating 22.

The third ink coating 26 is applied surrounding the cured second coating 22 and cured separately. The three ink coats 26 are applied such that the cured secondary coating 22 is at a desired warm temperature (T;)_{Second time}) Down into the ink layer applicator device 54. The term T as used herein_{Two times}Is defined as the surface temperature of the cured secondary coating 22 as the cured secondary coating 22 enters the ink layer applicator device 54. During curing of the ink layer, the ink coating monomer system 56 polymerizes and the ink layer temperature increases due to the exotherm of the curing reaction. In some embodiments, the temperature (T) of the secondary coating entering (or during application of) the ink layer applicator (third curing device 58) of the ink coating_{Two times}) Less than or equal to T_g-ink+40 ℃ where, T_g-inkIs the glass transition temperature of the cured ink coating as described above. In some embodiments, the temperature (T) of the secondary coating entering the ink layer applicator (third curing device 58) (or during application of the ink coating) while curing the ink monomer system on the optical fiber 10 with the pre-set cured primary and

secondary coatings

18, 22 during the draw process_{Two times}) Less than or equal to T_g-ink+20 ℃ and less than or equal to T_g-ink+10 ℃ and less than or equal to T_g-ink+5 ℃ and less than or equal to T_g-ink. In some embodiments, for the cured tertiary ink coating 26, the cured secondary coating temperature (T;)_{Two times}) Less than T_g-inks. In other embodiments, the temperature (T) of the secondary coating entering the third curing device 58 (ink layer applicator) (or during application of the ink coating material)_{Second time}) Greater than or equal to T_g-ink-25 ℃, greater than or equal to T_g-ink-15 ℃ and greater than or equal to T_g-ink-5 ℃, greater than or equal to T_g-ink+5 ℃ and greater than or equal to T_g-ink+10 ℃ or greater than or equal to T_g-inks+15 ℃. By carefully selecting the secondary coating temperature (T) into the third curing device 58 (ink layer applicator) (or during application of the ink coating)_{Two times}) The cured ink coating 26 can be designed to exhibit low fiber winding defects, a desired ink coating glass transition temperature (T;)_g-inks) And excellent optical fiber adhesion properties in ribbon cables.

The layer 18 of primary coating is formed from a material having a low Young's modulus (e.g., less than about 5MPa at 25 ℃) and a low glass transition temperature (T ℃)_g) (e.g., less than about-10 ℃) of a soft, crosslinked polymeric material. It is desirable that the layer 18 of primary coating have a higher refractive index than the cladding of the optical fiber to enable it to remove false optical signals from the fiber cladding. Layer 18 of the primary coating should maintain sufficient adhesion to the glass optical fiber during thermal and hydrolytic aging, but yet be peelable from the glass optical fiber for splicing. Of layers 18 of primary coatingThe thickness is typically in the range of 25-40 μm (e.g., about 32.5 μm). The primary coating is typically applied to the glass optical fiber as a liquid and cured, as will be described in more detail below. Conventional curable compositions for forming primary coatings are formulated using oligomers (e.g., polyether urethane acrylates), one or more monomeric diluents (e.g., ether-containing acrylates), photoinitiators, and other desired additives (e.g., antioxidants). Primary coatings for optical fibers have been well described in the past and are familiar to the skilled artisan. Advantageous primary coatings are disclosed in U.S. patent 7,923,483 to Chien et al, 6,326,416 to Chien et al, 6,531,522 to Winningham et al, 6,539,152 to Fewkes et al, 6,849,333 to Schisse et al, 6,563,996 to Winningham et al, and 6,869,981 to Fewkes et al; and Chou et al, U.S. patent application No. 20030123839, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

While the layer 22 of secondary coating is typically applied directly to the primary coating, the skilled artisan will recognize that one or more intermediate coating layers may be deposited between the primary and secondary coating layers. The secondary coating is formed of a cured polymeric material and is typically in the range of 20-35 μm thick (e.g., about 27.5 μm). Advantageously, the layer 22 of secondary coating is sufficiently rigid to protect the optical fiber, sufficiently flexible to be handled, bent or coiled; have low tackiness to enable handling and prevent adjacent windings on the reel from sticking to each other; water and chemicals resistance, such as fiber optic cable filling compounds; as well as sufficient adhesion to the coating to which it is applied (e.g., the primary coating).

The cured polymeric material used in layer 22 of the secondary coating of the optical fiber may be the cured product of a curable composition comprising an oligomer and at least one monomer. The curable composition used to form layer 22 of the secondary coating may also include photoinitiators, antioxidants, and other additives familiar to the skilled artisan, as is conventional. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the oligomers and monomers in the curable composition are ethylenically unsaturated and contain (meth) acrylate functionality to facilitate curing. The oligomer may be, for example, a urethane (meth) acrylate oligomer. However, as the skilled person will appreciate, oligomers and monomers suitable for other curing chemistries, such as epoxies, vinyl ethers, and thiolenes, may be used according to the present invention. Suitable functional groups of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers used in accordance with the present invention include, but are not limited to, acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides, N-vinyl amides, styrenes, vinyl ethers, vinyl esters, acid esters, and combinations thereof (i.e., polyfunctional monomers). Specific monomers and oligomers that can be used to make layer 22 of the secondary coating are disclosed in U.S. patent No. 7,923,483 to Chien et al, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Most suitable monomers are either commercially available or readily synthesized using reaction schemes known in the art. For example, most of the above monofunctional monomers can be synthesized by reacting the appropriate alcohol or amine with acrylic acid or acryloyl chloride. The oligomeric component may comprise a single type of oligomer or may be a combination of two or more oligomers. When used (if any), the oligomeric component incorporated into the compositions of the present invention preferably comprises ethylenically unsaturated oligomers. While the oligomeric component may be present in an amount of 15 wt.% or less, preferably it is present in an amount of about 13 wt.% or less, more preferably about 10 wt.% or less, even more preferably less than about 10%, and most preferably about 9% or less. While maintaining suitable physical properties of the composition and its resulting cured material, is more cost effective and thus advantageously produces a composition containing preferably less than about 5 wt% oligomeric components or substantially no oligomeric components.

The ink coating 56 may be formed by adding pigments and/or dyes to a pigment binder phase (i.e., a curable secondary coating composition containing one or more oligomers and one or more monomers and comonomers). The comonomer component is preferably a polar, non-acrylate monomer (e.g., N-vinyl caprolactam monomer).

The ink coating 56 includes a pigment binder phase, a pigment or dye, and a phosphine oxide photoinitiator, wherein the ink formulation is characterized by a cure speed of at least about 80% acrylate conversion/second, more preferably from about 80% to about 500% acrylate conversion/second, or from about 100% to about 400% acrylate conversion/second. The cure speed is a measure of the percent acrylate conversion per second (%/s). The percent cure was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Essentially, in the thickness direction ASI of-1 mm

ATR crystals (or equivalent) apply an uncured film, purge the film with nitrogen for 30 seconds, and then cure with, for example, a LESCO MARK II point cure unit and a T132 driver

The VS25 shutter assembly illuminated to induce polymerization. The shutter was opened for a 1 second exposure and spectra were collected at 6ms intervals for 0.9 seconds. After a pause of 0.1 seconds, spectra were collected again after the initial exposure for 5 seconds. The shutter is opened again for a 10 second exposure, which enables the 100% cured band ratio to be calculated. The uncured and fully cured band ratios for each were calculated and cured vs. time plots were constructed using conventional software such as OPUS v3.04 with OS/2 (spectrometer operation and data processing), Galactic Grams32 v5.02 and MicroCal Origin v 6.0. The polymerization rate Rp can be calculated from the slope of the curve at any point in the curve, and the maximum polymerization rate is preferably estimated as the slope of the curve from 10% conversion to 40% conversion. The reported cure speed number is the slope of the line in this range.

The colorant as used herein may be selected from a variety of pigments and/or dyes. In some embodiments, the pigment or dye is no greater than about 1 micron. Exemplary pigments and dyes (and their corresponding colors) include, but are not limited to: titanium dioxide, which is a white pigment; phthalocyanine blue and indanthrone blue, which are blue pigments; azo yellow, diaryl yellow and isoindolinone yellow, which are yellow pigments; phthalocyanine green, which is a green pigment; azo red, naphthol red and perylene red, which are red pigments; carbon black, which is a black pigment; pyrazolone orange, which is an orange pigment; carbazole violet and quinacridone violet, which are violet pigments; brown, bluish gray, pale green and rose remainder colors can be produced using appropriate combinations of the above-listed pigments. Other pigments are known and are continually being developed to have their cure speed within the above ranges and preferred ranges in the preceding paragraph.

The initiation, propagation and termination reactions of the free radical polymerization (curing) process are as follows:

wherein the dots above the reaction mass represent free radicals, i.e. unpaired electrons. The speed of these reactions is not limited by the rate constant, but by the time required for the reaction species to find each other and establish a reaction complex (diffusion limited reaction). Since the number and average molecular weight of the crosslinks increases as the reaction of the ink matrix proceeds, the molecules become less mobile and the corresponding glass transition temperature (T)_g) And thus rapidly reaches the diffusion limit. When glass transition temperature (T)_g) When increasing to a temperature comparable to the reaction temperature, the reaction rate decreases significantly, since the reaction species can no longer migrate to each other. For typical ink coatings, the diffusion limit is reached and the reaction substantially stops before complete conversion (curing) can be achieved at room temperature, and the average degree of curing of the cured ink layer typically does not exceed 90%. However, at higher curing temperatures, such as 75 ℃ and higher, the onset of diffusion limited mechanisms is delayed, the reaction mass remains mobile for longer periods of time, and the degree of curing increases. The average degree of cure during drawing (on-draw process) is typically above 93%, and can exceed 98%. At the same time, when cured at temperatures of 75 ℃ or higher, the dose required to achieve high conversion (cure) levels is typically 20% lower, which reduces the amount of space required to dedicate UV lamps.

In some embodiments, it may be advantageous to apply the ink coating 56 three times immediately after the cured primary and

secondary coatings

18, 22 are formed, i.e., as the optical fiber is drawn. Curing of the respective monomer systems used to form the cured primary and

secondary coatings

18, 22 is an exothermic reaction, and thus, due to the heat released (-ah) in the exothermic curing reaction of the cured primary and secondary coatings 18, 22_rxn) The temperature of the as-cured primary and

secondary coatings

18, 22 remains high for a limited time after curing. For example, the reaction enthalpy (Δ H) of polymerization and curing of the primary coating 18_rxn) In an embodiment of-75 joules/gram (J/g) and a reaction enthalpy of polymerization and curing of the secondary coating 22 of-100J/g, the heat generated will be sufficient to heat a glass waveguide having a radius of 125 microns after coating and curing by 30 ℃ (e.g., 50 ℃ to 80 ℃), assuming a typical outer diameter of the primary coating 18 of 190 microns and that of the secondary coating 22 of 242 microns. In such embodiments, the heat generated by the curing of the primary and

secondary coatings

18, 22 provides an elevated temperature to the coating surface for application and formation of the cured tertiary ink coating 26. The glass waveguide and each

layer

18, 22 have respective heat capacities that can be considered, and it should be understood that the

composite layers

18, 22 are not instantaneously thermally balanced, but rather they are ideally at their respective highest temperatures when the ink coating 56 is applied and cured to form the cured three ink coatings 26.

By convention and as used herein, the heat of reaction of an exothermic reaction is a negative quantity and is denoted herein as Δ H_rxn. The heat released from the exothermic reaction to the surroundings corresponds to the negative of the heat of reaction, i.e. - Δ H_rxn. The more negative the heat of reaction (i.e., the lower the heat of reaction), the greater the amount of heat released from the exothermic reaction. As noted above, the heat released from the exothermic reaction provides the energy for heating the optical waveguide and/or any surrounding paint or cured coating. The heat of reaction is referred to herein as the enthalpy of reaction.

Of the corresponding monomer, oligomer and/or polymer systems used in the primary and

secondary coatings

40 and 48 used to make the cured primary and secondary coatings 18, 22The enthalpy of polymerization and curing is selected to provide the desired heat of reaction (Δ H) sufficient to partially coat the optical fiber before three applications of the ink coating 56_rxn). In some aspects, the heat of reaction (Δ Η) of the primary coating 40 used to form the cured primary coating 18_rxn) Less than about-70J/g, less than about-80J/g, less than about-90J/g, less than about-100J/g, less than about-110J/g, less than about-125J/g, less than about-150J/g, less than about-175J/g, less than about-200J/g, or less than about-225J/g.

In some aspects, the heat of reaction (Δ Η) of the secondary coating 48 used to form the cured secondary coating 22_rxn) Less than about-70J/g, less than about-80J/g, less than about-90J/g, less than about-100J/g, less than about-110J/g, less than about-125J/g, less than about-150J/g, less than about-175J/g, less than about-200J/g, or less than about-225J/g.

In some aspects, the heat of reaction (Δ Η) of the ink coating 56 used to form the cured ink coating 26_rxn) Less than about-70J/g, less than about-80J/g, less than about-90J/g, less than about-100J/g, less than about-110J/g, less than about-125J/g, less than about-150J/g, less than about-175J/g, less than about-200J/g, or less than about-225J/g.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of a draw tower is provided to set forth the general process conditions for applying and curing the primary coating 18, secondary coating 22, and tertiary ink coating 26. Application of the cured three ink coats 26 during the draw process results in cured three ink coats 26 having properties that differ from the corresponding properties of the ink layers applied separately in an off-line process. Some of the process and curing parameters that may contribute to the differences in material properties of the cured three ink coatings 26 include: the temperature of the optical fiber at which the ink coating 56 is applied, the curing strength, and the time to expose three times the ink coating 56 to curing radiation. The properties of the tertiary ink coating 56 applied and cured during drawing can affect optical fiber performance characteristics, such as winding defects, adhesion performance when used in a ribbon, and the like.

The glass preform 30 is heated in a furnace 34 to draw an optical waveguide 14 comprising a core and one or more cladding layers. The glass preform 30 is drawn into the optical waveguide 14 by the draw machine 62, wherein the diameter of the waveguide 14 is measured by a first measuring device, which can adjust the diameter by manipulating the speed and/or tension of the draw machine 62. Fig. 4A provides a cross-sectional view of optical waveguide 14 at location IV a of fig. 3.

Optical waveguide 14 is then passed through a first applicator device 38 where the applicator dye is suitable for applying a desired amount of primary coating 40 to optical waveguide 14. In some aspects, the primary coating 40 is applied as a viscous resin in the first applicator device 38. The optical waveguide 14 coated with the primary coating 40 then passes through a first curing device 42. The first curing device 42 includes one or more curing lamps (e.g., UV curing lamps) or Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) (e.g., UV LEDs) adapted to effect curing of the primary coating 40. The extent and kinetics of curing is controlled at least in part by the power irradiated by the one or more curing lamps or LEDs and/or the fiber draw speed. Fig. 4B provides a cross-sectional view of optical waveguide 14 coated with cured primary coating 18, which corresponds to position IV B in fig. 3.

The optical waveguide 14 and cured primary coating 18 then pass through a second applicator device 46 where a second applicator dye is suitable for applying a desired amount of secondary coating 48 to the cured primary coating 18. In some aspects, the secondary coating 48 is applied as a second viscous resin in the second applicator device 46. The optical waveguide 14 coated with the cured primary coating 18 and secondary coating 48 then passes through a second curing device 50. The second curing device 50 may include one or more curing lamps (e.g., UV curing lamps) or LEDs (e.g., UV LEDs) adapted to effect curing of the secondary coating 48. The extent and kinetics of curing is controlled at least in part by the power irradiated by the one or more curing lamps or LEDs and/or the fiber draw speed. Fig. 4C provides a cross-sectional view of optical waveguide 14 coated with cured primary coating 18 and cured secondary coating 22, which corresponds to position IV C in fig. 3.

The optical waveguide 14 with the cured primary coating 18 and the cured secondary coating 22 then passes through a third applicator device 54 or ink application device 54 where a third applicator dye is suitable for applying a desired amount of a third ink coating 56 onto the cured secondary coating 22. In some aspects, three times the ink coating 56 is applied as a third viscous resin in the third applicator device 54. The optical waveguide 14 coated with the cured primary and

secondary coatings

18, 22 and the tertiary ink coating 56 then passes through a third curing device 58. The third curing device 58 may include one or more curing lights (e.g., UV curing lights) or LEDs (e.g., UV LEDs) adapted to effect the curing of the three times of ink coatings 56. The extent and kinetics of curing is controlled at least in part by the power irradiated by the one or more curing lamps or LEDs and/or the fiber draw speed. Fig. 4D provides a cross-sectional view of optical waveguide 14 coated with cured primary coating 18, cured secondary coating 22, and cured tertiary ink coating 26, which corresponds to position IV D in fig. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 5, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-4D, one embodiment of a method 200 for making the optical fiber 10 is provided. Method 200 may begin at step 204, which includes drawing optical waveguide 14. The glass preform 30 is heated in a furnace 34 to draw an optical waveguide 14 comprising a core and one or more cladding layers.

Next, step 208: a primary coating 40 is applied to surround and/or cover optical waveguide 14. The optical waveguide 14 passes through a first applicator device 38 where the applicator dye applies a desired amount of primary coating 40 to the optical waveguide 14.

Next, step 212: the primary coating 40 is cured to form a cured primary coating 18. The first curing device 42 includes one or more curing lamps (e.g., UV curing lamps) or LEDs (e.g., UV LEDs) adapted to effect curing of the primary coating 40. The extent and kinetics of curing is controlled at least in part by the power irradiated by the one or more curing lamps or LEDs and/or the fiber draw speed. The enthalpy of polymerization and cure of the corresponding monomer, oligomer, and/or polymer systems used as the primary coating 40 for making the cured primary coating 18 is selected to provide the desired heat of reaction (-ah) before the secondary coating 48 and/or the tertiary ink coating 56 are applied_rxn) To heat the optical waveguide 14 and the cured primary coating 18 to a desired temperature.

Next, step 216: the secondary coating 48 is applied to surround and/or cover the cured primary coating 18. The optical waveguide 14 with the primary coating 18 is passed through a second applicator device 46 where the applicator dye applies a desired amount of secondary coating 48 to the cured primary coating 18.

Next, step 220: the secondary coating 48 is cured to form the cured secondary coating 22. The second curing device 50 may include one or more curing lamps (e.g., UV curing lamps) or LEDs (e.g., UV LEDs) adapted to effect curing of the secondary coating 48. The extent and kinetics of curing is controlled at least in part by the power irradiated by the one or more curing lamps or LEDs and/or the fiber draw speed. The enthalpy of polymerization and cure of the corresponding monomer, oligomer, and/or polymer system used as the secondary coating 48 for making the cured secondary coating 22 is selected to provide the desired heat of reaction (-ah) before the three ink coatings 56 are applied_rxn) The optical waveguide 14, cured primary coating 18, and cured secondary coating 22 are heated to the desired temperature.

Next, step 224: a layer of the three ink coatings 56 is applied to surround and/or cover the cured secondary coating 22. The optical waveguide 14 with the cured primary and

secondary coatings

18, 22 is passed through a third applicator device 54 where the applicator dye applies the desired amount of a tertiary ink coating 56 onto the cured secondary coating 22.

Next, step 228: the three-pass ink coating 56 is cured to form a cured three-pass ink coating 26. The third curing device 58 may include one or more curing lights (e.g., UV curing lights) or LEDs (e.g., UV LEDs) adapted to effect the curing of the three times of ink coatings 56. The extent and kinetics of curing is controlled at least in part by the power irradiated by the one or more curing lamps or LEDs and/or the fiber draw speed. The polymerization and curing enthalpies of the corresponding monomer, oligomer, and/or polymer systems used as the three-pass ink coating 56 for making the cured three-pass ink coating 26 are selected to provide the desired heat of reaction (-ah) during formation of the cured three-pass ink coating 26_rxn) To heat the three ink paints 56 to the desired temperature.

The curing radiation wavelength of the primary, secondary and tertiary ink coatings is infrared, visible or ultraviolet. Representative wavelengths include wavelengths in the range of 250nm to 1000nm, or in the range of 250nm to 700nm, or in the range of 250nm to 450nm, or in the range of 275nm to 425nm, or in the range of 300nm to 400nm, or in the range of 320nm to 390nm, or in the range of 330nm to 380nm, or in the range of 340nm to 370 nm. Curing may be achieved using some light source, including a lamp source (e.g., an Hg lamp), an LED source (e.g., a UVLED, a visible LED, or an infrared LED), or a laser source.

In a continuous fiber manufacturing process, a glass optical fiber is drawn from a heated preform and sized to a target diameter (typically 125 mm). The glass optical fiber is then cooled and directed to a coating system that applies a liquid primary coating composition to the glass optical fiber. After applying the liquid primary coating composition to the glass optical fiber, there are two possible process options. In one process option (wet-on-dry process), the liquid primary coating composition is cured to form a cured primary coating, the liquid secondary coating composition is applied to the cured primary coating, and the liquid secondary coating composition is cured to form a cured secondary coating. In a second process option (wet-on-wet process), a liquid secondary coating composition is applied to the liquid primary coating composition and the two liquid coating compositions are cured simultaneously to provide cured primary and secondary coatings. After the fiber exits the coating system, the fiber is collected and stored at room temperature. Collection of the optical fiber typically involves winding the optical fiber onto a spool and storing the spool.

The primary, secondary, and tertiary ink coatings may be applied and cured in a common continuous manufacturing process. Alternatively, the primary and secondary coatings are applied and cured in a common continuous manufacturing process, the coated optical fiber is collected, and the tertiary ink coating is applied and cured in a separate off-line process to form the tertiary ink coating.

The primary, secondary, and tertiary ink coatings can each be cured using any of the wavelengths above and any light source. Each of the primary, secondary, and tertiary ink coatings may be cured using the same wavelength or light source, or the primary, secondary, and tertiary ink coatings may be cured using different wavelengths and/or different light sources. Curing of the primary, secondary, and tertiary ink coatings may be accomplished using a single wavelength or a combination of two or more wavelengths.

It should be understood that the descriptions set forth and taught for the optical fiber 10 may be used in any combination, and that the descriptions are equally well applicable to the method 200 of manufacturing the optical fiber 10.

The use of the embodiments and disclosure of the present disclosure herein may provide a number of advantages over the prior art of manufacturing optical fibers 10 or techniques for adding three ink layers to optical fibers 10. First, it provides an effective, high performance cured tertiary ink layer 26 formed during draw. Second, when the thermal winding by the curing process is performed during the drawing, the winding defect or deformation of the cured secondary coating layer 22 can be reduced. Third, it provides excellent fiber optic adhesion/pullout performance in ribbon cables. Fourth, the faster reaction rate at high temperatures means that fewer UV lamps are required to cure the ink coating 56 three times at a given draw speed, and thus, the fiber 10 can be drawn at a faster rate on a given height draw tower. Fifth, the physical properties of the cured three ink coats 26, particularly the increased ink glass transition temperature (T:)_g-ink) Improved handling characteristics, e.g., smoothness, and higher degrees of cure are obtained for the cured three ink coats 26. Finally, the three-pass ink coating 56 may be less susceptible to oxygen inhibition in the ambient environment because the reaction rate of curing at high temperatures (e.g., above 75 ℃) becomes accelerated relative to the rate of oxygen diffusion.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Examples

Materials and methods

The properties of the cured ink coating in film form and on the fiber optic sample are described. The cured ink coating was made from red and blue ink coatings. The composition of the ink coating is shown in table 1. Amounts are shown in weight percent (wt%).

TABLE 1

Miramer 210 (monomer) is bisphenol a diacrylate [ Miwon Specialty Chemicals Co. ]. Miramer M240 (monomer) is ethoxylated (4) bisphenol a diacrylate (american specialty chemicals). NVC (monomer) is N-vinyl caprolactam [ Aldrich (Aldrich) ]. Firstcure TPO (photoinitiator) is (2,4, 6-trimethylbenzoyl) diphenylphosphine oxide [ Yabao group (Albemarle Corp.) ]. Irgacure 184 (photoinitiator) is 1-hydroxycyclohexyl-phenyl ketone [ BASF ]. Uvitex OB (optical brightener) is 2, 5-thiophenediylbis (5-tert-butyl-1, 3-benzoxazole) (Basff). Irganox 1035 (antioxidant) is thiodiethylene bis (3, 5-di-tert-butyl) -4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate (Pasteur) and Tegorad 2250 (slip agent) is a silicone polyether acrylate compound [ Evonik Industries ]. 9W892, 9S1875, and 9R925 are proprietary formulated colorants (Penn Color, Inc.).

For ink coating, samples prepared from fiber samples or film samples with the fiber tubes removed were used to measure in situ modulus. A0.0055 inch Miller (MILLER) stripper was clamped down about 1 inch from the end of the fiber sample. The one inch region of the fiber sample was submerged in the liquid nitrogen stream and held for 3 seconds. The fiber sample was then removed and quickly stripped. The stripped end of the fiber sample was then inspected. Samples were run at a sample gauge length of 11mm using a Rheometrics DMTA IV instrument to obtain the in situ modulus of the coating. The width, thickness and length are determined and provided as inputs to the instrument operating software. The samples were mounted and run at ambient temperature (21 ℃) using a time scanning program using the following parameters: frequency: 1Rad/sec (radians/sec); strain: 0.3 percent; the total time is 120 seconds; the time of each measurement is 1 second; initial static force 15.0 g; the static force is 10.0% greater than the dynamic force. Once completed, the last five E' (storage modulus) data points were averaged.

Examples 1 to 3

Table 2 below provides an example of a cured ink film having a thickness of about 38 microns using a blue ink coating. These provided films are at temperature (T)_Film) Is applied at the temperature (T)_Film) Corresponding to the temperature (T) experienced by the secondary coating as it enters the ink applicator during draw_{Two times}) And then cured at room temperature using different belt speeds. The ribbon adhesion properties of the fiber optic blue ink layer are also provided with a similar degree of cure to that of the blue ink film. In the provided optical fiber examples having a cured blue ink layer applied/cured thereon, subsequent evaluations were provided with respect to the adhesive performance of the tape. The film temperatures (T) in examples 1-3 were calculated_Film) Is about 105 deg.c.

TABLE 2

Referring now to FIG. 6, the modulus and Tan (. delta.) measurements for examples 1-3 listed in Table 2 are provided. The peak or highest temperature value in the Tan (delta) plot corresponds to the glass transition temperature T of the respective cured blue ink film_g-inks。

Examples 4 to 7

Tables 3A and 3B below provide examples of cured ink films having a thickness of about 38 microns using red ink coatings. At the temperature (T) of the cured secondary coating_{Second time}) The film was applied down and then cured at room temperature or 100 c using different belt speeds through the curing apparatus. The degree of curing and the glass transition temperature (T) of the respective cured ink films were calculated_g-oilInk(s)). The ribbon adhesion properties of the optical fiber red ink layer are also provided with a similar degree of cure to that of the red ink film. In the provided optical fiber examples having a layer of cured red ink applied/cured thereon, subsequent evaluations were provided with respect to the adhesive performance of the tape. The temperature (T) of the cured secondary coatings in examples 4-7 was calculated_{Second time}) Is about 105 deg.c.

TABLE 3A

TABLE 3B

Referring now to FIG. 7, the modulus and Tan (δ) measurements for examples 4-7 listed in Table 2 are provided. The peak or highest temperature value in the Tan (delta) plot corresponds to the glass transition temperature T of the respective cured red ink film_g-ink. The figure supports the following conclusions: curing at higher temperatures gives films with significantly higher glass transition temperatures at the same curing strength.

Still referring to FIG. 7, the graph plots nitrogen (N) at room temperature or 100 deg.C₂) Storage modulus (E') and loss modulus (E ") of cured red ink films cured in air or in air. Triplet oxygen present in the atmosphere is a diradical molecule because it has two unpaired electrons. Due to the biradical nature of triplet oxygen, it can act as a radical terminator or quencher for the curing reaction, as it can react with radicals generated by the curing lamp or LED in the curing reaction of the ink layer material. Triplet oxygen production results in delayed initiation and/or propagation of free radical polymerization during curing and can reduce the extent of curing. Since there is only a small difference in the properties of the resulting cured red ink film when exposed to air, oxygen appears to penetrate only a few tens of microns into the red ink layer material upon reaction (curing). Or, when the red ink film isAs the reaction (curing) temperature increases, the properties of the red ink film change greatly. As provided in examples 4-7, the storage modulus of the cured red ink film reacted at 100 ℃ was approximately 20% greater than the storage modulus of the corresponding cured red ink film reacted at room temperature when the modulus values were measured at 23 ℃. However, when the modulus values were measured at 50 ℃, the storage modulus of the cured red ink film prepared at 100 ℃ was 10 times higher than the storage modulus of the corresponding cured red ink film prepared at 23 ℃. The increased storage modulus values provided in examples 6-7 are a result of the significantly higher glass transition temperatures achieved by the cured red ink layer coatings when the red ink layer material is cured at higher temperatures.

As provided herein, the data provided by examples 1-7 demonstrate the glass transition temperature (T) of the cured ink film when curing the ink layer material at a higher temperature when the same curing conditions are used (T;), the glass transition temperature of the cured ink film_g-ink) Is significantly higher. In addition, a secondary coating temperature (T) was observed as it entered the ink applicator_{Two times}) Less than (T)_g-inkWhen the ink layer material is applied at +20 deg.C, the tape adhesion properties increase or improve. Similarly, the secondary coating temperature (T) when entering the ink applicator was observed_{Second time}) Higher than (T)_g-inkWhen the ink layer material is applied at +40 deg.C, the performance of the ink layer on the optical fibers in the ribbon matrix decreases or degrades.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber, the method comprising:

drawing an optical waveguide from a glass preform at a rate greater than 30m/s, the drawing comprising:

applying a first coating to surround the optical waveguide;

curing the first coating to form a cured first coating;

applying an ink coating to surround the cured first coating, the ink coating including a colorant, the cured first coating having a temperature (T) during application of the ink coating_{Second time}) (ii) a And

cured ink coatingTo form a cured ink coating having a glass transition temperature (T)_g-ink) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃;

wherein the temperature (T) of the cured first coating layer_{Two times}) Greater than or equal to T_g-ink-25 ℃ and less than or equal to T_g-ink+40℃。

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first coating comprises an acrylate compound.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature (T) of the cured first coating layer_{Two times}) Less than or equal to T_g-ink+20℃。

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature (T) of the cured first coating layer_{Two times}) Less than or equal to T_g-ink。

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature (T) of the cured first coating layer_{Two times}) Greater than or equal to 50 ℃.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature (T) of the cured first coating layer_{Two times}) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature (T) of the cured first coating layer_{Two times}) Less than or equal to 120 ℃.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat of reaction (Δ Η) for curing of the ink layer material_rxn) Less than-70J/g.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

applying a second coating to surround the optical waveguide; and

curing the second coating to form a cured second coating;

wherein the cured first coating surrounds the cured second coating.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the heat of cure reaction (Δ Η) of the second coating material_rxn) Less than-70J/g.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat of cure reaction (Δ Η) of the first coating material_rxn) Less than-80J/g.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature (T) of the cured first coating layer_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 65 ℃.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide is drawn at a rate greater than 40 m/s.

14. An optical fiber manufactured by the method of claim 1, comprising:

an optical waveguide;

a cured secondary coating surrounding the optical waveguide; and

a cured ink coating surrounding the cured secondary coating;

wherein the cured ink coating includes a colorant and has a glass transition temperature (T) greater than or equal to 75 ℃_g-ink)。

15. The optical fiber of claim 14, wherein the cured ink coating has a glass transition temperature (T ™)_g-ink) Greater than or equal to 90 ℃.

16. The optical fiber of claim 14, wherein the cured ink coating has a glass transition temperature (T ™)_g-ink) Less than or equal to 120 ℃.

17. The optical fiber of claim 14, wherein the warp curedGlass transition temperature (T) of the secondary coating_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃.

18. The optical fiber of claim 14, wherein the cured secondary coating has a glass transition temperature (T ™)_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 85 ℃.

19. The optical fiber of claim 14, wherein the cured secondary coating has a glass transition temperature (T ™)_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 90 ℃.

20. The optical fiber of claim 14, wherein the cured secondary coating has a glass transition temperature (T ™)_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃ and less than or equal to 120 ℃.

21. The optical fiber of claim 14, further comprising a cured primary coating surrounding the optical waveguide, wherein the cured secondary coating surrounds the cured primary coating.

22. An optical fiber manufactured by the method of claim 1, comprising:

an optical waveguide;

a cured primary coating surrounding the optical waveguide;

a cured secondary coating surrounding the cured primary coating, wherein the cured secondary coating has a glass transition temperature (T)_{g-two times}) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃; and

a cured tertiary ink coating surrounding the cured secondary coating, the cured tertiary ink coating comprising a colorant, wherein the cured tertiary ink coating has a glass transition temperature (T;)_g-inks) Greater than or equal to 75 ℃.

23. The optical fiber of claim 22, wherein the glass transition temperature (T)_g-ink) Less than or equal to 120 ℃.

24. The optical fiber of claim 22, wherein the glass transition temperature (T) is_{g-two times}) Less than or equal to 120 ℃.

25. The optical fiber of claim 22, wherein the colorant is a pigment.