Polyolefin materials suitable for optical fiber cable components
US5911023A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4479
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Optical fiber cable components such as buffer tubes, filler rods, or jackets are produced using a thermoplastic polyolefin characterized by a high melt flow index. The use of material with a high melt flow index versus conventional "extrusion grade" materials which are characterized by a low melt flow index results in substantial improvements in buffer tube crystallinity and crystallization rates, improved buffer tube crush resistance, reduced post extrusion shrinkage, improved gel compatibility, and improved excess fiber length control. The advantages of using materials with a high melt flow index are most evident when processing thermoplastic materials such as nucleated copolymers of ethylene and propylene at high line speeds (shear rates) of over 50M/min.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.