EP0861453A1

EP0861453A1 - Matrix compounds for forming optical fiber ribbons

Info

Publication number: EP0861453A1
Application number: EP96937910A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alvin C. Levy
Original assignee: Lightguide Materials Inc
Current assignee: Lightguide Materials Inc
Priority date: 1995-11-13
Filing date: 1996-11-07
Publication date: 1998-09-02
Also published as: CA2237393A1; WO1997018493A1; AU7554496A

Abstract

A removable matrix for retaining one or more optical fibers which have an outermost layer made of a first polymer having a first initiator system, e.g., a free-radical initiated, ultraviolet curable acrylate polymer, where the matrix is made from a second polymer having a second initiator system substantially different from the first initiator system, e.g., a cationically initiated, ultraviolet curable vinyl ether polymer. An optical fiber and matrix ribbon, where the ribbon is made from optical fibers which have an outermost layer of a free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer, and a removable matrix for retaining the optical fibers, wherein the matrix comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer. An optical fiber and matrix ribbon which is made from optical fibers having an outermost layer made of a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer, and a removable matrix for retaining the optical fibers, where the matrix is made from a free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer. An ink for use on an acrylate polymer coated optical fiber, wherein the ink contains an inhibitor of cationically initiated polymerization. A matrix comprised of a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable vinyl ether polymer.

Description

MATRIX COMPOUNDS FOR FORMING OPTICAL FIBER RIBBONS

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention:

The invention relates to optical fibers. In particular, the present invention relates to novel ribbon systems composed of optical fibers and a removable matrix wherein the polymer systems of the optical fibers and the removable matrix use different initiator systems.

Background Art:

In the typical ribbon design for optical fiber (glass) cables, a number of coated optical fibers or color-coded, coated optical fibers are first arranged in a flat array. The fiber coating is generally an ultraviolet (UV) curable acrylate and the optional color-coding material is either a solvent based vinyl ink or a UV curable acrylate based ink. The fiber array is then overcoated with a thin layer of what is referred to as a "matrix coating," which is then cured. The purpose of the cured material is to provide integrity to the ribbon structure. The most common matrix materials are UV curable acrylates and such matrix materials are present in, e.g. , the AT&T Accuribbon^®. The AT&T Accuribbon^® product literature shows a matrix material having a thickness of as little as 0.03 mm at the top of the fiber up to as great as 0.125 mm in the valleys between adjacent fibers.

There is not common agreement in the industry as to the specific mechanical properties the matrix compound must have to be functional over the wide temperature ranges the cable might experience, from about -40 °C to approximately 80°C. Both low modulus materials, less than 100 MPa, and high modulus materials, above 900 MPa, are presently employed by various cable manufacturers. However, it is generally accepted that the compound must be stable at conditions of high temperature and high relative humidity for some cable design applications. For example, Bellcore Technical Reference TR-NWT-000020 requires testing some cable components at 85 °C and 85% relative humidity for 30 days. Additionally, it must abe possible to easily remove the coated optical fibers or color coded, coated optical fibers from the ribbon without damaging the coated fibers or removing the color coding where a color code is present. The latter requirement is important for fiber splicing and connectorization.

In another prior art ribbon, a layer of pressure sensitive tape on each side of the fiber array was used to form the ribbon. This construction provided for easy fiber removal. However, because of high signal attenuation and high costs associated with this design, the industry has now switched to UV curable acrylates to bond the fiber array, as opposed to the pressure sensitive tape. This change has led to difficulties in fiber breakout (separation) from the ribbon without damaging the fiber. For instance, in the case of the AT&T Accuribbon^®, the ribbon must first be treated with an alcohol-based gel to swell the matrix coating sufficiently to accomplish fiber removal in the required manner.

An alternate prior art ribbon design, which avoids the need for the chemical treatment experienced with the Accuribbon^®, is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,828,349. In the '349 disclosure, a peel layer is placed around the outside of the optical fiber and then a covering layer (matrix layer) is overlayed to form the ribbon structure. The peel layer is comprised of a thermosetting or ultra violet curable fluorocarbon or silicone resin. Because of the presence of the peel layer, the matrix or covering layer can be easily removed without damaging the peel layer.

Cationic and free-radical based polymerization is discussed general in Rudin, A. , The Elements of Polymer Science and Engineering, Academic Press, Inc. , NY (1982). For these reasons, it is highly desirable to provide a ribbon having a readily removable matrix while overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art, such as not needing a gel treatment or a special application of a peel layer, to facilitate easy removal of the fibers from the ribbon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system which overcomes the prior art disadvantages because the present invention, for example, does not require gel treatment or a special peel layer to permit easy removal of the fibers from the ribbon. In particular, the present invention provides a removable matrix for retaining one or more optical fibers having an outermost layer comprising a first polymer with a first initiator system, the matrix comprising a second polymer having a second initiator system substantially different from the first initiator system.

In addition, the present invention provides an optical fiber and matrix ribbon, the ribbon comprising one or more optical fibers, wherein the fibers have an outermost layer comprising a free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer, and a removable matrix for retaining the one or more optical fibers, wherein the matrix comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an ink for use on an acrylate polymer coated optical fiber, wherein the ink comprises an inhibitor of cationically initiated polymerization.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a matrix comprised of a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable vinyl ether polymer. Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. Before the present devices and methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a" , "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term "removable" means that the matrix and the optical fiber may be separated or peeled apart without damaging the outermost layer of the optical fiber. Also, as used herein, the "outermost layer" of the optical fiber may either be the actual outer polymer coating of the fiber or, when present, the coating layer formed by any ink applied to the optical fiber, whichever is outermost. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "initiator system" is used to describe the various polymerization initiation reactions, including, but not limited to, cationic initiator systems, anionic initiator systems and free-radical initiator systems. As used herein, the term "radiation" is applied to a cure system for polymers which requires the input of energy, e.g. , heat, microwave, or ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, a "radiation curable" polymer is one which can be cured by the application of radiation and an "ultraviolet radiation curable polymer" is one which is cured by the application of ultraviolet radiation. In addition, the term "ribbon" is used herein to refer to an article resulting from one or more optical fibers, with or without an ink coating, coated with a matrix compound. While the "ribbon" is generally described as a flat cable of multiple optical fibers, such limitation is not necessary and shall not be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

In addition, as used herein, "substantially different" initiator systems means that the initiator systems of the major portions of the specified polymers are different. For instance, a polymer having a major portion of a free-radical initiated acrylate and a minor portion of a cationically initiated polyol would have a substantially different initiator system from a polymer having a major portion of a cationically initiated polyol, cycloaliphatic epoxide or vinyl ether and a minor portion of a free-radical initiated acrylate polymer.

The present invention provides a removable matrix for retaining one or more optical fibers having an outermost layer comprising a first polymer with a first initiator system, the matrix comprising a second polymer having a second initiator system substantially different from the first initiator system. In a further embodiment, the first and second polymers are radiation curable polymers. In yet a further embodiment, the first polymer comprises a free radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer and the second polymer comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer.

The present invention also discloses the matrix wherein the free radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable first polymer is an acrylate polymer. In a further embodiment, the matrix second polymer further comprises a partial adhesion promoting amount of a free-radical initiated, radiation curable acrylate polymer and wherein the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a major portion of the matrix and the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer comprises a minor portion of the matrix, whereby the presence of the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer promotes partial adhesion between the outermost layer of the one or more fibers and the matrix.

In yet another embodiment, the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable second polymer comprises a mixture of cycloaliphatic epoxide and a polyol. In a further embodiment, the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable second polymer comprises a vinyl ether polymer. In a further embodiment, the vinyl ether polymer is a vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped ester monomer, a vinyl ether encapped alcohol, or a mixture thereof. Specifically, the vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer is Allied Signal 150B, the vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer is Vectomer 2032, the vinyl ether encapped monomer is bis-(4- vinyloxybutyl) isophthalate and the vinyl ether encapped monomer is 4- vinyloxy butyl benzoate.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the first polymer comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer and the second polymer comprises a free radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer. In yet another embodiment, the free radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer is an acrylate polymer. In another embodiment, the matrix further comprises a partial adhesion promoting amount of a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer and wherein the free-radical initiated ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a major portion of the matrix and the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a minor portion of the matrix, whereby the presence of the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer promotes partial adhesion between the outermost layer of the one or more fibers and the matrix. In addition, the present invention provides an optical fiber and matrix ribbon, the ribbon comprising one or more optical fibers, wherein the fibers have an outermost layer comprising a free -radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer, and a removable matrix for retaining the one or more optical fibers, wherein the matrix comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer. In a further embodiment, the matrix further comprises a free-radical initiated, radiation curable acrylate polymer and wherein the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a major portion of the matrix and the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer comprises a minor portion of the matrix, whereby the presence of the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer promotes partial adhesion between the outermost layer of the one or more fibers and the matrix. In yet another embodiment, the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a vinyl ether polymer. In a further embodiment, the vinyl ether polymer is a vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped ester monomer, a vinyl ether encapped alcohol, or a mixture thereof. Specifically, the vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer is Allied Signal 150B, the vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer is Vectomer 2032, the vinyl ether encapped monomer is bis-(4- vinyloxybutyl) isophthalate and the vinyl ether encapped monomer is 4- vinyloxybutyl benzoate.

In addition, the present invention provides a ribbon wherein the outermost layer of the one or more fibers comprises an ink coating, wherein the ink comprises a free-radical initiated, radiation curable acrylate polymer. In a further embodiment, the ink further comprises an inhibitor of cationically initiated polymerization. In yet another embodiment, the inhibitor is water, a basic compound, or a mixture thereof. More specifically, the inhibitor is a pigment capable of interacting with the cation, or a hindered amine light stabilizer, such as bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, or the inhibitor is l-vinyl-2- pyrrolidone.

In yet another embodiment of the ribbon, the ribbon comprises one or more optical fibers, wherein the fibers have an outermost layer comprising a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer, and a removable matrix for retaining the one or more optical fibers, wherein the matrix comprises a free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer. In a further embodiment, the matrix further comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer and wherein the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer comprises the major portion of the matrix and the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises the minor portion of the matrix, whereby the presence of the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer promotes partial adhesion between the outermost layer of the one or more fibers and the matrix. In yet another embodiment, the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a vinyl ether polymer. Moreover, in an alternate embodiment, the outermost layer of the one or more fibers comprises an ink coating, wherein the ink comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer. In an alternate embodiment, the ink further comprises an inhibitor of free-radical initiated polymerization. In another embodiment, the inhibitor comprises a benzoquinone derivative, such as hydroquinone, naphthaquinone, or a mixture thereof. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides an ink for use on an acrylate polymer coated optical fiber, wherein the ink comprises an inhibitor of cationically initiated polymerization. In an alternate embodiment, the inhibitor is water, a basic compound, or a mixture thereof. In yet another embodiment, the inhibitor is a pigment capable of interacting with the cation. In yet another embodiment, the basic compound comprises a hindered amine light stabilizer, such as bis- (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate. In an alternate embodiment, the inhibitor is l-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. In another alternate embodiment, the inhibitor is an initiator of free radical initiated polymerization, such as 2-methyl-l-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-2-morpholinopropanone-l .

The present invention also provides a matrix comprised of a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable vinyl ether polymer. In a further embodiment, the vinyl ether polymer is a vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped ester monomer, a vinyl ether encapped alcohol, or a mixture thereof. Specifically, the vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer is Allied Signal 150B, the vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer is Vectomer 2032, the vinyl ether encapped monomer is bis-(4-vinyloxybutyl) isophthalate and the vinyl ether encapped monomer is 4-vinyloxybutyl benzoate.

The present invention involves the selection and formulation of the matrix material or both the matrix material and the ink such that an optical fiber cable manufacturer may choose the level of adhesion between the coated or the color-coded, coated optical fibers and the matrix coating used in the fiber ribbon. Using the methods of the present invention, neither a gel treatment nor a special application of a peel layer is required to facilitate easy removal of the fibers from the ribbon.

Most optical fibers in use in the industry today use an outer coating composed of free-radical initiated, UV curable acrylate polymers. For such optical fibers, the present invention proposes the use of a cationically initiated, UV curable material as the major portion of the matrix coating formulation. The use of polymers having distinct initiator systems prevents extensive cross-linking or other binding between the outermost layer of the optical fiber and the matrix. Moreover, the matrix coating may also contain free-radical initiated, UV curable acrylates to properly balance the adhesion, /. e. , to increase the adhesion to the ink or fiber coating to a desired level. Additionally, the use of some acrylate materials reduces the raw material cost of the completed matrix compound because acrylate materials are presently less expensive then cationically initiated materials.

Moreover, in embodiments where acrylate polymers are used to increase the partial adhesion, the use of high molecular weight acrylates and the functionality of the acrylate may be manipulated to increase or decrease adhesion. For instance, a higher molecular weight acrylate would provide for less adhesion because the functional equivalent weight (i.e. , weight divided by degree of functionality) would be higher. The degree of functionality of the acrylate polymer used can also be chosen to increase or reduce the adhesion, where an increase in the degree of functionality would increase the adhesion.

Additionally, formulation latitude is further increased if the ink (which forms the outermost layer of the optical fiber) used to optionally color-code the fiber contains a component which slightly inhibits the cure of the matrix compound at the interface between the matrix compound and the ink. The degree of inhibition of cure influences the level of adhesion at the interface and hence the relative ease of removing the fiber from the matrix coating.

The ink used to color-code the fiber can have many different chemistries with the exception that, for systems using a cationically initiated, UV curable polymer in the matrix, the major components cannot be cationically initiated UV curable materials. Examples of commonly used inks are solvent based vinyl inks and free-radical initiated, UV curable acrylate inks.

Generally, cationically initiated materials are inhibited by molecules which can hydrogen bond or react with the cation and therefore remove it from its role in the reaction. Examples of inhibitors include, but are not limited to, water, bases (even very weak bases present in the fiber coating, such as hindered amine light stabilizers), other components often present in UV curable acrylates such as N vinyl pyrrolidone (1- vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), and even selected pigments capable of interacting with the cation. The degree of inhibition can vary widely by component and with concentration.

For the case where the outer coating on the optical fiber (as opposed to the matrix) is a cationically initiated UV curable vinyl ether material (see, e.g. , U.S. Patent No. 5,139,872), the ink can be comprised substantially of cationically initiated UV materials where a UV ink is used. The matrix compound in this case is comprised substantially of free radical initiated, UV curable acrylate components. The important distinction is that while the ink, if used, and optical fiber outer coating share the same initiator system, the matrix polymer must use a distinct or different initiator system than the outermost layer, either the ink, if used, or the outer polymer coating of the optical fiber. Similar to the cationic cure matrix instance, inhibition of cure can be controlled by including a low level of a free-radical scavenger in the ink or the fiber coating where the color coding inks are not used. For instance, a benzoquinone derived free-radical scavenger such as hydroquinone or naphthaquinone can be added to the ink. Preferred matrix material formulations useful for the present invention are given in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 details formulations where the reactive components are based on vinyl euier chemistry. Table 2 contains formulations based on cycloaliphatic epoxides and polyols chemistry and mixed systems of the two chemistries.

In Table 1, Allied Signal 150B (Allied Signal, Inc. , Morristown, NJ) is a vinyl ether encapped polyester oligomer having a viscosity of 340,000 cps at 60 °C and a weight average molecular weight of from 2000 to 3500. Vectomer 2032 (Allied Signal, Inc. , Morristown, NJ) is a vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer which has a viscosity of 30,000 cps at 70 °C and a weight average molecular weight of 4800 to 6600. Bis-(4- vinyloxybutyl) isophthalate is a difunctional (with respect to cationic cure) vinyl ether monomer with a viscosity of 85 cps at 25 °C and is sold under the trade name Vectomer 4010 (Allied Signal, Inc., Morristown, NJ). 4- vinyloxybutyl benzoate is a monofunctional vinyl ether monomer (with respect to cationic cure) having a viscosity of 7 cps at 25 °C and is available under the trade name Vectomer 3010 (Allied Signal, Inc., Morristown, NJ).

Other preferred vinyl ether compounds that are particularly suitable for the matrix compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, l,4-bis[(vinyloxy)methyl]-cyclohexane (1,4- cyclohexanedimethanol divinyl ether), sold under the trade name Rapi- Cure CHVE (International Specialty Products, Inc. , Wayne NJ.) and having a viscosity of 5.0 cps at 25 °C; 3, 6,9,12-tetraoxatetradeca- 1,13- diene (triethylene glycol divinyl ether), sold under the trade name Rapi- Cure DVE-3 (International Specialty Products, Inc. , Wayne, NJ.) and having a viscosity of 2.67 cps at 25 °C; hydroxybutyl vinyl ether, sold under the trade name Rapi-Cure HBVE (International Specialty Products, Inc. , Wayne, NJ.) and having a viscosity of 7.5 cps at 25 °C; n-dodecyl vinyl ether, sold under the trade name Rapi-Cure DDVE (International

Specialty Products, Inc. , Wayne, NJ.) and having a viscosity of 2.81 cps at 25 °C; bis-(4-vinyloxymethylcyclohexyl methyl) glutarate, sold under the trade name Vectomer 4020 (Allied Signal Corp., Morristown, NJ.) and having a viscosity of 430 cps at 25 °C; and bis-(4-vinyloxybutyl) succinate (International Specialty Products, Inc. , Wayne, NJ.) having a viscosity of 43 cps at 25 °C. Other suitable vinyl ethers include, but are not limited to, ethyl vinyl ether, propyl vinyl ether, isobutyl vinyl ether, octadecyl vinyl ether, butyl vinyl ether, ethyleneglycol vinyl ether, diethyleneglycol divinyl ether, butanediol monovinyl ether, butanediol divinyl ether, ethyleneglycol butyl vinyl ether, triethyleneglycol methyl vinyl ether, cyclohexanedimethanol monovinyl ether, 2-ethylhexyl vinyl ether, Poly-THF-divinyl ether 290, pluriol-E-200-divinyl ether, cyclohexyl vinyl ether, tert-butyl vinyl ether, tert-amyl vinyl ether, ethyleneglycol divinyl ether, diethyleneglycol monovinyl ether, hexanediol monovinyl ether, tetraethyleneglycol divinyl ether, trimethylolpropane trivinyl ether, aminopropyl vinyl ether, or 2-diethylaminoethyl vinyl ether (preceding vinyl ethers available from BASF, Mount Olive, N.J.).

In addition, there are many acrylate polymers ("acrylates") in use today which are suitable for the purposes described herein. More particularly, for the purposes of the examples discussed herein, Ebecryl 8804 is the trade name for an aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomer with a viscosity of 10,000 - 24,000 cps at 65 °C, a molecular weight of 1 ,400 and a functionality of 2.4 (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). Tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TRPGDA) is a difunctional monomer with a viscosity of 12 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). Trimethylopropane triacrylate (TMPTA) is a trifunctional monomer with a viscosity of 85 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). 1 ,6- hexanediol diacrylate (HDODA) is a difunctional monomer with a viscosity of 6 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). β- carboxyethyl acrylate (0-CEA) is a monofunctional monomer with a viscosity of 75 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). Isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) is a monofunctional monomer with a viscosity of 9.5 cps at 25°C (UCB Radcure Inc., Smyrna, GA). Octyl/decyl acrylate (ODA) is a monofunctional monomer with a viscosity of 2 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). Oxyethylated phenol acrylate (Ebecryl^® 110) is a monofunctional monomer with a viscosity of 75 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). Tetraethylene glycol diacrylate (TTEGDA) is a difunctional monomer with a viscosity of 20 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). Bisphenol-A derivative diacrylate

(Ebecryl^® 150) is a difunctional monomer with a viscosity of 1,500 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). OTA-480 is a trifunctional monomer with a viscosity of 85 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). Pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA-K) is a trifunctional monomer with a viscosity of 500 cps at 25°C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). PETA-LQ is a lower functionality version of PETA-K with a viscosity of 1,500 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). Trimethylolpropane ethoxy triacrylate (TMPEOTA) is a trifunctional monomer with a viscosity of 20 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc., Smyrna, GA). Acrylated di-pentaerythritol (DPHPA) is a multifunctional monomer with a viscosity of 20,000 cps at 25 °C (UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA). In addition, other Ebecryl^® acrylates suitable for the present purposes include, but are not limited to, Ebecryl^® 80, 81, 82, 220, 230, 244, 264, 265, 270, 284, 285, 436, 438, 450, 505, 524, 525, 584, 585, 586, 588, 600, 605, 616, 629, 639, 657, 745, 754, 767, 770, 810, 830, 860, 870, 1290, 1608, 1657, 1701 , 1755, 1810, 3200, 3201 , 3409, 3500, 3502, 3600, 3603, 3604, 3605, 3608, 3700, 3700-20H, 3700-20T, 3700-25R, 3701, 3701-20T, 3702, 3703, 4827, 4830, 4833, 4834, 4849, 4866, 4881 , 4883, 6602, 6700, 8301, 8402, 8800, 8800- 20R, or 8803 (All Ebecryl^® product numbers available from UCB Radcure Inc. , Smyrna, GA).

Ar₃SPF₆ in the presence of UV light can serve as the initiator in the cationic polymerization of vinyl ether oligomers and monomers and is sold under the trade name UVI 6990 (Union Carbide, Danbury, CT). 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone is a Norish Type 1 Cleavage photo initiator with a melting point of 63-66 °C and is available sold under the trade name Irgacure 651 (Ciba-Geigy Corp. , Hawthorne, NY). Irgacure 651 serves as the free radical source on exposure to UV light for the polymerization of acrylate monomers and oligomers. Octadecyl 3-(3' ,5'- di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate is a thermal oxidative stabilizer which is available under the trade name Irganox 1076 (Ciba-Geigy Corp. , Hawthorne, NY). The propenyl ether of propylene carbonate (RAPI- CURE PEPC) has a molecular weight of 158 and a viscosity of 13 cps at 25 °C (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ or Charlotte, NC). PEPC helps to solubilize the UV 6990.

SF 1188 is the trade name for the copolymer of a polymethyl siloxane and a polyoxy alkene ether having a viscosity of 600-1200 cps at 25° C, a density of 1.04 g/cc avg., and a surface tension of 25.5 dynes/cm² (GE Silicones, Waterford, NY). SF 1188 is an anti-blocking agent which prevents tacking together of adjacent layers of ink or matrix when the product is wound upon itself. In Table 2, UVR-6110 is the trade name for 3,4-

Epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate which has an epoxy equivalent weight of 131 - 143 and a viscosity at 25 °C of 350 - 450 cps (Union Carbide, Danbury, CT.). See Carroy, Antoine, Aspects of Photoinitiaion: Cationic UV-Curing Efficiency of Cycloaliphatic Epoxide-Based Systems Through Photoinitiator and UV-Wavelength Selection (1993). UVR-6128 is the trade name for bis-(3,4- epoxycyclohexyl) adipate which has an epoxide equivalent weight of 350- 450 and a viscosity at 25 °C 190 - 210 cps (Union Carbide, Danbury, CT.). Tone 0301 is the trade name for an e-caprolactone triol which has an hydroxyl equivalent weight of 98 - 103 and a viscosity of 2250 cps at 55°C (Union Carbide, Danbury, CT.). Tone 0301 is trifunctional with respect to reactivity. Tone 0201 is the trade name for a caprolactone diol having an average molecular weight of 530 and a viscosity of 65 cps at 55 °C (Union Carbide, Danbury, CT.). Tone 0201 is difunctional with respect to reactivity.

Various other components at low addition levels such as wetting and anti-blocking agents and other components known in the art, such as fillers, diluents, pigments, etc. can be added to these formulations as required.

Physical test data on representative formulations are also provided in Tables 1 and 2. Tensile data were obtained on films 2 - 3 mils in thickness using a 50% strain rate in a test procedure similar (a 3 inch gauge length was used for the test data reported herein) to ASTMD 882- 91 , Standard Test Methods for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting. The cure dose was 500 mj/cm² on a Fusion Systems bench top conveyor (Fusion Systems, Inc. , Rockville, MD) with an H bulb under a nitrogen blanket. The cure temperature was 60 °C. Tensile measurements were made a minimum of 24 hours after curing using a Thwing-Albert Intelect 500 Tensile Tester (Thwing-Albert Instrument Co. , Philadelphia, PA). Ambient laboratory conditions for tensile measurements were in the range of 23 - 35 °C at a relative humidity of 45 - 55%. Modulus data reported are for the tangent modulus at the intercept of the stress-strain curve.

TABLE 1 - MATRIX FORMULATIONS:

FORMULATION IDENTIFICAΗON (PARTS BY WEIGHT )

COMPONENTS: 1A IB 1C ID IE IF 1G 1H II IJ IK IL IM IN

VINYL ETHERS

490 52 12.9

⁹⁸

TABLE 2 MATRIX FORMULATIONS

FORMULATION

IDENTIFICATION (PARTS BY

WEIGHT)

The 95°C/95% relative humidity (RH) conditioning was done in a

Blue M Power-O-Matic 60 (Blue M Electric, Blue Island, IL) temperature/humidity oven. Samples were conditioned for at least 24 hours at ambient after removal from the oven before testing. Viscosity was determined using either a Brookfield model LVF or a model RVT (Brookfield Engineering Laboratory, Inc. , Stoughton, MA) viscometer. Tensile data show a range of values from about 100 to 1000 MPa. The data show the usual variation in properties with crosslink density and the backbone flexibility. The effect of crosslink density is illustrated in Table 1 where use of the monofunctional monomer Vectomer 3010 in place of the difunctional monomer Vectomer 4010 (Formulations 1A and IN) leads to decrease in modulus associated with the decrease in crosslink density. The same can be seen in Table 2 where difunctional Tone 0201 is used in place of the trifunctional Tone 0301 (Formulations 2A and 2C). The example of backbone flexibility can be seen in Table 2 where UVR- 6128 is used in place of the more rigid UVR 6110 molecule (Formulations 2C and 2E).

Stability data, as measured by modulus change after conditioning at 95°C/95 % RH for 20 and 30 days are given in Table 1 and after 6 days in Table 2. For the purposes of the present invention, the modulus should not change by more than about 20% after 30 days at 85°C/85% RH. The precision of the modulus measurement is approximately +1-5 % . Therefore, the precision of the modulus change measurement will be greater than 5 % . The data presented in the tables indicate good retention of modulus for vinyl ether formulation 1A. At 20 days the vinyl ether formulations with approximately 20% acrylate monomer are reasonably stable as is the vinyl ether formulation IB based on the vinyl ether urethane oligomer. However, at 30 days all these latter materials have markedly increased in modulus. The use of the Vectomer 2032 type oligomer may, therefore, be limited by stability requirements in the particular application of the system. Nonetheless, the basic and underlying concept of the present invention has been shown. This is also a practical limitation in the amount of acrylate monomer that can be added while maintaining adequate temperature and humidity stability for many applications. Chemical kinetics would suggest that all of the above formulations would have been acceptable after 30 days at 85°C/85% RH. Moreover, the color stability of the vinyl ether compounds based on the ester type oligomer (Formulations 1A, IF, 1G and 1H) was good, showing only a slight off color tint after the 30 day test. Matrix compound IB was significantly off color and would not be acceptable without further stabilization in applications where color stability is an important criteria.

A matrix compound (formula 2A) based on cycloaliphatic epoxides and polyols showed poor performance in the 95°C/95% RH test indicating that this type compound is limited to applications where high temperature, high humidity stability is not critical. Specific formulations for the inks tested are given in Table 3. As used in that Table, 2-methyl-l-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-2- morpholinopropanone- 1 is a free radical-type photoinitiator which is sold under the trade name Irgacure 907 (Ciba-Geigy Corp. , Hawthorne, NY). TiO₂ is a white pigment available from multiple sources, e.g. , Tronox CR-800 from Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. Bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl) sebacate is a hindered amine light stabilizer sold under the trade name Tinuvin 770 (Ciba-Geigy Corp. , Hawthorne, NY). The other blend components listed in Table 3 have been previously described.

TABLE 3 UV INK FORMULATIONS:

Test plaques for determination of T-peel Adhesion were prepared as follows. An approximate 75 micron thickness of Desolite^® Product Code 950-044 optical fiber coating (DSM Desotech Inc. , Elgin, IL), an industry-known UV curable acrylate coating, having a viscosity of 5000 cps at 25°C and a tensile modulus upon curing of 690 MPa at 23°C, 50% relative humidity, is cured at a cure dose of 500 mj/cm² using a Fusion Systems D bulb under a nitrogen blanket. The cured film is held for at least one day before proceeding to the next step. After the holding period, an approximate 10 micron thickness layer of a UV curable acrylate polymer based ink is then applied and cured under a nitrogen blanket with a Fusion Systems H bulb at a cure dose of 250 mj/cm² (this step is skipped for non-color coded testing). The color coded composite is then held for at least one day before proceeding. In the final step, an approximately 75 micron thick layer of matrix compound is applied at a temperature of 60 °C and then cured with a Fusion Systems H bulb at a cure dose of 500 mj/cm² under a nitrogen blanket. In some tests, a release layer is applied to the top of the composite to provide a non- bonded layer at the top of the test composite. The finished composite is again held for at least 48 hours. Tape (Scotch^® 3M mailing tape, 3M, Minneapolis, MN) is then applied to both sides of the sample for support to prevent tensile failure of the composite, a 1 inch wide test strip is cut, and a separation made by hand at the interface between the ink and the matrix compound in the non-bonded region. A T-peel test is then run on a Thwing-Albert tensile tester at a crosshead rate of 2 in./min. The peel level is recorded along with the failure interface.

Test data for the various matrix compound and ink combinations are given in Table 4. As can be seen, formulations 1A and IB (which contain no acrylate components) have very low adhesion to the optic fiber coating material when no ink is present. When the UV1 or UV2 ink is applied, adhesion of 1A (which contains a vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer) remains low. However, adhesion of IB (which contains a vinyl ether encapped oligomer) remains low. However, adhesion of IB (which contains a vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer) increases significantly.

TABLE 4 MATRIX ADHESION (T-PEEL ADHESION, pounds/inch width)

TRPGDA

HDODA

TMPTA

MONOMER + OLIGOMER

Matrix layer cured at 40 °C Matrix layer cured at ambient

UV1 and UV2 both contain an urethane acrylate oligomer. Therefore, the inks in those cases contain an oligomer which is more chemically similar to the IB matrix compound than the 1A matrix compound. Hence, the adhesion of IB to the ink is greater than 1A to the ink. As various acrylate components are added to the 1A type matrix (matrix materials 1C through 1M), the adhesion can be increased to obtain a desired level. The greater the acrylate content of the matrix, the greater the chemical similarity between the matrix and the ink and, therefore, the greater the adhesion. Once the matrix acrylate content has reached about 50%, the adhesion is too high to obtain a meaningful test. Where the greater than (> ) sign is shown in Table 4, the peel occurs between the back-up tape and the matrix compound indicating that the peel adhesion level between the ink and the matrix compound is at a higher level than can be determined by this test configuration. In all other test samples, the peel interface is between the ink and the matrix compound or between the matrix compound and fiber coating material where no ink is present.

It is apparent from the above-data that combinations of vinyl ether encapped urethane and ester oligomers can also be used to control the peel adhesion.

Additionally, the data shows that if the ink is based on a ester acrylate oligomer, that the matrix compound IB above would have lower peel adhesion to the ink than would matrix compound 1A. Moreover, in a mixed acrylate/vinyl ether or other cationic cure system, both cationic and free radical type UV activated initiators are required.

To determine the viability of embodiments where the ink contains an inhibitor of the cationic cure matrix materials, four different blends of ink were prepared by adding 1.0 percent by weight of four components to formulation 1A in Table 1. These materials were Irgacure 651, Irgacure 907 (previously described as an initiator for acrylate systems), l-vinyl-2- pyrrolidone (NVP), and a hindered amine light stabilizer bis-(2, 2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate which is sold under the trade name Tinuvin 770 (Ciba-Geigy Corp., Hawthorne, NY). The materials were cured as previously described for matrix compounds. In these tests, the blends containing Tinuvin 770 and Irgacure 907 did not cure but remained viscous liquids even after exposure to UV light. The blend containing NVP, upon exposure to UV light, yielded a undercured, tacky film which was too fragile for tensile analysis. The blend containing Irgacure 651 was well-cured. The viability of cure inhibition in a free-radical based polymer matrix was tested by the addition of 0.5% and 0.25 % by weight of naphthaquinone to the acrylate coating Desotech^® 950-44. A similar amount was added in the reverse case for matrix IN. On exposure to a 500 mj/cm² dose of UV radiation, the 950-044 with 0.5% naphthaquinone produced a low modulus, greatly undercured product. The IN matrix was slightly undercured. At a 0.25% naphthaquinone level, the 950-044 again was undercured with a modulus of 18 MPa. The IN matrix with 0.25% naphthaquinone was well-cured with a modulus of 418 MPa. Table 4 sets forth peel adhesion data for Matrix 1A from inks containing 3 parts by weight of Irgacure 907 (UV1) and Irgacure 6 1

(UV2). As can be seen, there is a decrease in adhesion when going from the Irgacure 651 to the Irgacure 907 containing ink. Examination of the molecular structure of Irgacure 907 shows it to be a hindered amine. UV3 and UV4 inks have a combination of Irgacure 651 and Irgacure 907 initiators. In combination with matrix 1A, both of these inks also show lower adhesion relative to UV2 and Matrix 1A. When the hindered amine light stabilizer Tinuvin 770 is added to the ink (UV5) and Matrix IN is used, a similar drop in peel adhesion is seen relative to the UV2/1N combination. Table 4 also describes peel adhesion data for cationic cure systems based on cycloaliphatic epoxide/polyol combinations. As can be seen from tests conducted with Matrix materials 2A through 2E, values are somewhat higher than those obtained using formulations based on vinyl ether chemistry. In fact, it appears necessary to use Irgacure 907 in the ink to properly reduce the peel adhesion. Furthermore, use of the trifunctional polyol 0301 results in lower adhesion than does polyol 0201. Increasing the level of 0201 also increases the adhesion. When combinations of the two chemistries are used as in formula 2F, the adhesion reading falls between the values reported for the non-mixed formulations. These data support the finding, based upon the present disclosure, one of skill in the art could formulate the various components to obtain a desired adhesion level without undue experimentation. Other properties, such as modulus and stability, will dictate which combinations are most desirable in obtaining the final properties depending upon the desired application.

Based upon the disclosure of the present invention, if the optical fiber coating is a cationic material, it would be desirable to use a cationic cure ink for adhesion to the fiber coating and an acrylate based matrix for release from the cationic ink. Table 4 also demonstrates that this is the case. For example, when Matrix 1A was cured first, i.e. , as the optical fiber coating, subsequent cure of the acrylate ink UV2 or acrylate matrix IL on the vinyl ether coating surface resulted in poor adhesion. Hence the ink used where the fiber coating is substantially a cationic cure compound should also be comprised substantially of a cationic cure components and the matrix compounds should be comprised substantially of free radical initiated acrylate type components.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A removable matrix for retaining on or more optical fibers having an outermost layer comprising a first polymer with a first initiator system, the matrix comprising a second polymer having a second initiator system substantially different from the first initiator system.

2. The matrix of Claim 1, wherein the first and second polymers are radiation curable polymers.

3. The matrix of Claim 1, wherein the first polymer comprises a free radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer and the second polymer comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer.

4. The matrix of Claim 3, wherein the free radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer is an acrylate polymer.

5. The matrix of Claim 4, wherein the matrix further comprises a partial adhesion promoting amount of a free-radical initiated, radiation curable acrylate polymer and wherein the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a major portion of the matrix and the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer comprises a minor portion of the matrix, whereby the presence of the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer promotes partial adhesion between the outermost layer of the one or more fibers and the matrix.

6. The matrix of Claim 3, wherein the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a mixture of cycloaliphatic epoxide and a polyol.

7. The matrix of Claim 3, wherein the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a vinyl ether polymer.

8. The matrix of Claim 7, wherein the vinyl ether polymer is a vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped ester monomer, a vinyl ether encapped alcohol, or a mixture thereof.

9. The matrix of Claim 8, wherein the vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer is Allied Signal 150B.

10. The matrix of Claim 8, wherein the vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer is Vectomer 2032.

11. The matrix of Claim 8, wherein the vinyl ether encapped monomer is bis-(4-vinyloxybutyl) isophthalate.

12. The matrix of Claim 8, wherein the vinyl ether encapped monomer is 4-vinyloxybutyl benzoate.

13. The matrix of Claim 1, wherein the first polymer comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer and the second polymer comprises a free radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer.

14. The matrix of Claim 13, wherein the free radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer is an acrylate polymer.

15. The matrix of Claim 13, wherein the matrix further comprises a partial adhesion promoting amount of a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer and wherein the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a major portion of the matrix and the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a minor portion of the matrix, whereby the presence of the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer promotes partial adhesion between the outermost layer of the one or more fibers and the matrix.

16. An optical fiber and matrix ribbon, the ribbon comprising: a) one or more optical fibers, wherein the fibers have an outermost layer comprising a free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer; and b) a removable matrix for retaining the one or more optical fibers, wherein the matrix comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer.

17. The ribbon of Claim 16, wherein the matrix further comprises a free-radical initiated, radiation curable acrylate polymer and wherein the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a major portion of the matrix and the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer comprises a minor portion of the matrix, whereby the presence of the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer promotes partial adhesion between the outermost layer of the one or more fibers and the matrix.

18. The ribbon of Claim 16, wherein the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a vinyl ether polymer.

19. The ribbon of Claim 18, wherein the vinyl ether polymer is a vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped ester monomer, a vinyl ether encapped alcohol, or a mixture thereof.

20. The ribbon of Claim 19, wherein the vinyl ether encapped polymer is Allied Signal 150B.

21. The ribbon of Claim 19, wherein the vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer is Vectomer 2032.

22. The ribbon of Claim 19, wherein the vinyl ether encapped monomer is bis-(4-vinyloxybutyl) isophthalate.

23. The ribbon of Claim 19, wherein the vinyl ether encapped monomer is 4-vinyloxybutyl benzoate.

24. The ribbon of Claim 16, wherein the outermost layer of the one or more fibers comprises an ink coating, wherein the ink comprises a free-radical initiated, radiation curable acrylate polymer.

25. The ribbon of Claim 24, wherein the ink further comprises an inhibitor of cationically initiated polymerization.

26. The ribbon Claim 25, wherein the inhibitor is water, a basic compound, or a mixture thereof.

27. The ribbon of Claim 25, wherein the inhibitor is a pigment capable of interacting with the cation.

28. The ribbon of Claim 25, wherein the inhibitor is a hindered amine light stabilizer.

29. The ribbon of Claim 28, wherein the hindered amine light stabilizer is bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate.

30. The ribbon of Claim 25, wherein the inhibitor is l-vinyl-2- pyrrolidone.

31. An optical fiber and matrix ribbon, the ribbon comprising: a) one or more optical fibers, wherein the fibers have an outermost layer comprising a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer; and b) a removable matrix for retaining the one or more optical fibers, wherein the matrix comprises a free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer.

32. The ribbon of Claim 31 , wherein the matrix further comprises a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer and wherein the free-radical initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable acrylate polymer comprises the major portion of the matrix and the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises the minor portion of the matrix, whereby the presence of the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer promotes partial adhesion between the outermost layer of the one or more fibers and the matrix.

33. The ribbon of Claim 31 , wherein the cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer comprises a vinyl ether polymer.

34. The ribbon of Claim 31 , wherein the outermost layer of the one or more fibers comprises an ink coating, wherein the ink comprises a catiomcally initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable polymer.

35. The ribbon of Claim 34, wherein the ink further comprises an inhibitor of free-radical initiated polymerization.

36. The ribbon of Claim 35, wherein the inhibitor comprises a benzoquinone derivative.

37. The ribbon of Claim 35, wherein the inhibitor comprises hydroquinone, naphthaquinone, or a mixture thereof.

38. An ink for use on an acrylate polymer coated optical fiber, wherein the ink comprises an inhibitor of cationically initiated polymerization.

39. The ink of Claim 38, wherein the inhibitor is water, a basic compound, or a mixture thereof.

40. The ink of Claim 38, wherein the inhibitor is a pigment capable of interacting with the cation.

41. The ink of Claim 38, wherein the basic compound comprises a hindered amine light stabilizer.

42. The ink of Claim 41 , wherein the hindered amine light stabilizer is bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate.

43. The ink of Claim 38, wherein the inhibitor is l-vinyl-2- pyrrolidone.

44. The ink of Claim 38, wherein the inhibitor is an initiator of free radical initiated polymerization.

45. The ink of Claim 44, wherein the inhibitor is 2-methyl-l-[4- (methy lthio)phenyl] -2-morpholinopropanone- 1.

46. A matrix comprised of a cationically initiated, ultraviolet radiation curable vinyl ether polymer.

47. The matrix of Claim 46, wherein the vinyl ether polymer is a vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer, a vinyl ether encapped ester monomer, a vinyl ether encapped alcohol, or a mixture thereof.

48. The matrix of Claim 46, wherein the vinyl ether encapped ester oligomer is Allied Signal 150B.

49. The matrix of Claim 46, wherein the vinyl ether encapped urethane oligomer is Vectomer 2032.

50. The matrix of Claim 46, wherein the vinyl ether encapped monomer is bis-(4-vinyloxybutyl) isophthalate.

51. The matrix of Claim 46, wherein the vinyl encapped monomer is 4-vinyloxybutyl benzoate.