JPS58120543A - Production of metal coated fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the mechanical strength of an optical fiber without damaging the surface of the optical fiber and without impairing flexibility by sticking fine metallic powder on an optical fiber strand, and melting the powder by heating thereby forming a thin metallic coating layer. CONSTITUTION:Fine metallic powder 6 of aluminum, etc. of about 1-2mu is introduced together with a clean inert gas 7 contg. no moisture or the like into a sticking tank 3, and is made into a dustlike state. A preform 1 is heated to high temp., is spun and is introduced into the tank 3 where the powder 6 is stuck on an optical fiber strand 4 by utilizing the melting heat of the preform 1. Thereafter, the fiber is introduced into a melting furnace 5, where the powder 6 is melted by heating to form a uniform coating layer of about 10mu, whereby the intended metal coated fiber is obtained. The resultant fiber has strength about 1.2 times higher than the strength of conventional optical fibers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a metal coating method for optical fibers, and particularly to a manufacturing method thereof.

(b) Purpose of the Invention The purpose of the present invention is to prevent damage to optical fibers during metal coating, improve reinforcement against the lack of mechanical strength of optical fibers, which is the original purpose of metal coating, and The objective is to control the thickness of the coating layer so as not to impair the flexibility, which is an advantage of optical fibers. (c) Structure of the Invention In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that the optical fiber is heated and melted.

B) Examples of the invention An embodiment of the invention is shown in the figure.

The metal powder 61 is, for example, a fine powder of about 1 to 2 microns of aluminum or the like, and is introduced into the deposition tank 3 together with a clean inert gas containing no moisture or the like in order to form this fine powder into a dust state.

On the other hand, due to the high temperature of approximately 2000℃, the preform lid
Usually, it is spun to about αl■φ. At this time, the fusion heat r of this preform is used to make the fine powder adhere to the surface of the fiber. 4 is an attached fiber. After 70, melting furnace 5
Aluminum copy powder is melted at about 1000°C using VC to form a uniform coating layer. As a result of the example, a uniform coating layer of approximately 10μ was obtained, and it was confirmed that the strength was approximately twice as strong as that of the current fiber.Effects of the InventionAccording to the present invention, there is no direct contact with the optical fiber. Since metal coating is possible without requiring a contact mechanism, it is possible to strengthen the mechanical strength of the optical fiber without damaging the optical fiber surface.In addition, the metal coating layer can be made as thin as necessary. It is possible and has the effect that the flexible tube of the optical fiber will not be damaged.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Claims (1)

[Claims] In metal coating of optical fiber, is it possible to attach fine metal powder to the optical fiber wire and heat and melt the fine metal powder? Features: Manufacturing method of metal coated fiber.