Fiber Optic Coatings, Buffers and Cable Jacketing Materials

OFS provides the capability to package your optical fiber-based solutions with various coatings tailored specifically to your critical application requirements. Below are some of the options that can be explored further with our coatings technologists.

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What is an Optical Fiber Coating/Buffer?

Optical fiber coatings or buffers serve a crucial function in protecting the fiber from its surrounding environment. The coating shields the glass fiber from mechanical and environmental stresses during application. The primary coating can be applied in a single or dual layer. These coatings are applied during the fiber drawing process before the fiber contacts any external surfaces. For added protection, a layer of buffer material can be included, which further safeguards the fiber and helps maintain the waveguide.

What is a Fiber Optic Cable Jacket?

The structure of an optical cable is designed to protect the optical fibers from environmental damage. This structure includes buffers, strength members, and jackets. Various factors influence the design of fiber-optic cables, which correlate directly with the intended application of these cables.

Fiber Optic Coatings:

Acrylate Fiber Coating

Photocurable liquid coatings are formulated to serve as primary coatings for optical glass fibers. Typical telecom optical fibers utilize a dual coating of acrylate, comprising a softer inner layer and a harder outer layer. Specialty fibers, however, typically employ a single coating.

High-Temperature Acrylate

High-temperature acrylate coatings are utilized for their resistance to steam and cable gels, particularly in harsh environments that call for additional protection. Such coatings are often employed in industrial sensing and military/aerospace applications.

Fluoroacrylate

This non-toxic and durable coating is ideal for medical equipment. It adheres to the silica surface, effectively “healing” micro-defects and thereby improving the tensile strength of the fiber while retarding static fatigue. This type of coating is commonly used in industrial applications where the robust polymer allows for a connector to be crimped directly onto the fiber, which can be mechanically cleaved. More detailed information on OFS HCS Crimp & Cleave technology can be found on our website. This fluoroacrylate may serve as either a cladding or coating material for optical fibers.

Silicone Coating

Silicone coatings are resistant to water vapor and a wide range of chemicals. Being soft, silicone requires buffering for protection, typically using thermoplastics like ETFE, PFA, or PEEK. Silicone dampens compression-induced attenuation and is easy to strip.

Acrylate Coating

This type of coating is commonly used for optical fibers designed for distributed temperature sensing applications. Depending on the specific grade of acrylate, it can support mid-temperature ranges up to 135 °C for up to 20 years, with higher temperatures reaching 200 °C. Fibers coated in this way are resistant to moisture across temperature ranges and can withstand chemicals, making them suited for deployment in harsh environments.

Polyimide

Polyimide coatings from OFS are tailored for optical fibers operating in harsh temperature sensing and communication environments. A thin, hard polymer coating provides mechanically robust fibers exhibiting exceptional chemical resistance, a compact cross-section, and the ability to endure long-term high temperatures. OFS polyimide delivers remarkable thermal stability, with continuous lifetime temperatures of 275 °C lasting up to 80 years, 300 °C for up to 13 years, and 325 °C for up to 2.2 years, along with short-term excursions (24 hours) reaching as high as 450 °C.

Carbon

This coating, applied at merely a few angstroms thick, significantly extends fiber longevity and can be used alongside other coating materials. It is crucial in applications where the optical fiber experiences high stress or is coiled tightly, and where exposure to high humidity is likely. It is often the preferred coating when an extended lifespan of the optical fiber is essential.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

PEEK is frequently applied as a tertiary layer, complementing other coatings like carbon and silicone. It provides a high Young's modulus outer layer that features excellent chemical and abrasion resistance, low thermal expansion, and is a zero-halogen material, promoting low smoke and toxicity.

Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)

PBT offers exceptional short-term mechanical properties, including high strength, toughness, and stiffness, as well as practical impact resistance. Its high heat-deflection temperatures and elevated temperature index ratings enable components to withstand both short-term thermal excursions and prolonged heat exposure. PBT also exhibits robust chemical resistance against a broad array of substances, making PBT-jacketed optical fibers and cables suitable for aerospace, utility, and industrial applications.

Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene can serve as an alternative to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a buffer for optical fibers in LSZH cables. It releases less smoke and contains no toxic halogens, preventing the production of corrosive acid under high-heat conditions.

Polyethylene (PE)

PE offers excellent moisture and weather resistance, along with favorable electrical properties over a wide temperature range. It is also abrasion resistant, making it a preferred jacket material for Outside Plant fiber optic cables.

Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) PE-PP

LSZH jackets are free from halogenated materials that can transform into toxic and corrosive substances during combustion. LSZH is an excellent choice for cable jackets in enclosed installations.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC is typically low-cost, flexible, and reasonably durable. It can be engineered for a variety of environments and applications, frequently serving as a cable jacket material for both indoor and outdoor cables.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)

A PVDF coating is largely inert with most solvents and chemicals, boasting excellent abrasion and wear resistance, along with high dielectric strength. It is weather resistant and self-extinguishing in the event of fire, producing minimal smoke. This makes PVDF an ideal choice for indoor plenum cables.

Polyurethane (TPU)

TPU is characterized by high abrasion resistance, good low-temperature performance, impressive shear strength, high elasticity, transparency, along with resistance to oil and grease. It is often utilized in industrial-grade cables.

Halogen-Free Flame Retardant Polyurethane (HFFR)

HFFR thermoplastic polyurethane compositions are increasingly replacing traditional halogen-containing flame retardant TPU compositions in various applications, including insulation and protective jackets for wires and cables associated with personal electronic devices and those deployed in enclosed areas. These HFFR TPU compositions provide exceptional flame-retardant properties and mechanical attributes, including excellent flexibility.

Hytrel® TPE

Thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPE) provide rubber-like flexibility combined with plastic-like strength. This material exhibits outstanding flex fatigue resistance across a broad temperature range, resists tearing, flex-cut growth, creep, and abrasion, demonstrating exceptional toughness while resisting hydrocarbons and a variety of other fluids. It is utilized in numerous OFS cables specifically designed for reliable use in aircraft applications.

Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)

ETFE, or poly(ethene-co-tetrafluoroethene), showcases impressive resistance to extreme temperatures, excellent chemical resistance, robust mechanical strength, along with strong tensile strength and elongation properties. Compared to most fluoropolymers, it offers superior physical characteristics and exhibits remarkable resistance to weather and aging. ETFE is commonly employed as a buffer for OFS HCS® fibers in industrial datacom applications.

Perfluoroalkoxy Teflon® (PFA)

Optical fiber cables buffered with Teflon® fluoropolymers provide remarkable resistance to high temperatures, chemical reactions, corrosion, and stress cracking, making this material exceptional for use in harsh applications.

We are here to help

The team at OFS possesses extensive experience in developing fiber optic coating solutions. Serving multiple industries, we closely collaborate with all our clients to ensure coatings align with their specific requirements, regardless of complexity or uniqueness. To discover more about our optical fibers, explore our comprehensive catalog, or connect with our team of specialists today to discuss your optical fiber and fiber optic cable specifications and needs.

Fiber optic cables outperform copper cables in various aspects, such as higher speed, increased bandwidth, and the capability to cover longer distances without signal degradation. Each type of fiber optic cable presents unique advantages. As the demand for optical communication rises, a broader range of optical cable products are now available in the market. So, what are the prevalent types of fiber cables? Understanding these options will guide you in selecting the appropriate fiber optic cables for your networking project.

1. Fiber Optic Cable Types by Transmission Performance, Distance, and Use

These cables can be categorized into long-distance optical cables, local optical cables, submarine optical cables, and user optical cables.

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Fiber Cable Types	Structure	Performance Requirements	Application
User Optical Cable	Unitube, Ribbon	High density, wide bandwidth, low/medium loss	Computer network, FTTH (fiber-to-the-home)
Local Optical Cable	Unitube, Ribbon, Stranded Loose Tube	Low loss, wide bandwidth	Within the city
Long-Distance Optical Cable	Intercity, long distance	Submarine Optical Cable	Stranded Loose Tube	Low loss, wide bandwidth, high mechanical performance, high reliability	Underwater

2. Type of Fiber Optic by Light Transmission Mode

These cables can be segmented into single-mode and multimode fiber. Single-mode fiber cables are typically classified as 9/125 OS1 OS2 fiber, while multimode fiber cables can be categorized into 62.5/125 OM1, 50/125 Laser-Optimized OM2, OM3, OM4, OM5 fiber. Generally, single-mode (SM) fiber is designated for long distances or higher bandwidth needs and utilizes a laser for its light source, whereas multimode (MM) fiber relies on an LED as its light source and is ideal for shorter distances or less bandwidth-intensive applications.

3. Fiber Optic Cable Type by Structure

The classification can include stranded loose tube cable, slotted core fiber cable, unitube cable, and ribbon cable.

Structure	Structural Features	Performance Characteristics	Laying Method
Stranded Loose Tube Cable	Optical fibers are twisted around a central strength member	Easy to manufacture, good mechanical and environmental performance, and small fiber count	Direct burial, pipeline, overhead, and underwater laying
Slotted Core Fiber Cable	Fiber is placed in the slotted core	Complex to manufacture, good protective performance, compact structure, and large fiber count	Pipeline laying
Unitube Cable	Fiber is placed in the center tube	Simple structure, cost-efficient, flexible fiber counts	Overhead laying
Ribbon Cable	Fiber is housed in a ribbon unit within a tube or slotted core	Most space-efficient fiber optic cable allowing for a high fiber count	Direct burial and pipeline laying

4. Type of Fiber Optic by Fiber Core Count

This category can include fibers with various core counts such as 1-core, 2-core, 4-core, 6-core, 8-core, 12-core, and 24-core fibers, among others. The core count principally relates to the device interfaces connected by the optical fiber and the communication mode utilized.

On average, the optical core count should equal the total number of device interfaces multiplied by 2, plus an additional 10% to 20% for spare capacity. If the device's communication method includes serial communication and device multiplexing, the overall core count can be reduced.

5. Fiber Optic Cable Type by Laying Method

The category can include pipeline optical cables, direct buried optical cables, overhead optical cables, and underwater optical cables. The primary differences rest on the laying methods, which accordingly influence the optical cables' performance.

• Overhead Optical Cable: This type is suspended using existing overhead line poles, conserving construction expenses and reducing timelines. It is designed to adapt to diverse natural environments, suitable for flat terrains.
• Directly Buried Optical Cable: Meeting strict lateral pressure resistance standards, these cables include steel tape or wire armor to prevent mechanical damage and soil corrosion.
• Pipeline Optical Cable: Laid in pipelines, this type is often found in urban access networks or customer premises networks, generally requiring no special cable jackets or armors.
• Underwater Optical Cable: Positioned on the ocean floor, these cables facilitate telecommunication or power transmission across regions. They are designed for rigorous marine environments featuring robust armor, with a focus on high tensile strength and resistance to water pressure.

6. Type of Fiber Optic by the Configuration

Fiber optic cables come in two primary configurations: loose tube and tight buffered. Both styles contain strengthening components like aramid yarn or stainless steel strands. In tight buffered cables, there is no gap between the fiber cores’ coating and cladding layers, unlike loose tube cables which may include a gap filled with gel or be otherwise unconfined.

7. Fiber Optic Cable Type by the Properties of the Outer Jacket Material

The categories may be defined based on jacket material, including PE polyethylene jacketed ordinary optical cables, PVC jacketed flame retardant cables, and nylon anti-rodent optical cables.

Jacket Material	Benefits
PE (Polyethylene)	Provides excellent moisture and weather resistance, good electrical properties over various temperature ranges, and solid abrasion resistance, making it the standard outer jacket for outdoor cables.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)	A cost-effective, flexible, and resilient flame-oil resistant material suitable for various environments, commonly used as an outer jacket for both indoor and outdoor cables.
PVDF (Polyvinyl Difluoride)	Best suited for plenum cables due to its superior fire-retardant qualities and low smoke emissions.
LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen)	Made without halogenated materials that can produce toxic gases during combustion, this jacket is highly suitable for indoor installations. It is typically higher-cost compared to others.
Plenum	A key component in OFNFP-grade optical fiber cables known for high flame retardancy without emitting toxic gases under extreme temperatures. Ideal for air return systems used in ventilation ducts.
Riser	One of the main components of OFN-grade optical fiber cables, exhibiting flame retardant properties slightly weaker than plenum material without generating toxic gas, used primarily for building trunk lines and horizontal cabling.

8. Type of Fiber Optic by Transmission Conductor and Medium Condition

These fibers may be classified as metal-free optical cables, ordinary optical cables, and integrated optical cables. Metal-free optical cables are often employed in areas susceptible to strong electromagnetic interference or frequent lightning, while integrated optical cables are tailored for railway dedicated network communications.

9. Fiber Optic Cable Type by Optical Fiber

Glass Optical Fiber (GOF) and Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) are two principal types utilized in telecommunications networks to transmit light signals via thin strands. POF exhibits greater resistance than GOF, as glass is inherently fragile. Consequently, POF is more suitable for installations in corrugated tubes and domestic environments where breakage risks are higher.

10. Type of Fiber Optic by Use Environment

Cable types can be further segmented into outdoor optical cables, indoor optical cables, and submarine optical cables.

• Outdoor Optical Cable: Suitable for extensive deployment methods including direct burial, pipeline, tunnels, and overhead settings, these cables feature thick outer packaging and numerous protective characteristics.
• Flexible Fiber Optic Cable: A removable type designed for excellent bending performance, typically utilized in optical connectors, FTTH installations, and sensor applications.
• Indoor Optical Cable: Built for indoor deployments, featuring superior bending resistance and flame retardancy, suitable for short-distance communication equipment.
• Submarine Optical Cable: Primarily used for transoceanic tasks, these cables have minimum investment and construction requirements, providing enhanced confidentiality, stability, and security for long-distance transmissions.
• Special Optical Cables: These can include options such as hybrid cables, tactical cables, and anti-rodent cables designed for specific purposes.

11. Fiber Optic Cable Type by Emerging Optical Cables

The introduction of innovative optical cable materials has propelled advancements in cable structures, incorporating dry water blocking materials, nanomaterials, and flame retardant compositions to optimize performance. Recent years have seen the emergence of ecological optical cables, nanotechnology optical cables, and micro-optical cables.

• Ecological Optical Cable: These cables primarily focus on environmental sustainability, addressing issues related to non-eco-friendly materials, such as toxic gas emissions from burning PVC. They are primarily intended for indoor environments, and many companies are now producing halogen-free flame-retardant plastics for ecological cables.
• Nanotechnology Optical Cables: Utilizing nanomaterials such as nanofiber coatings and specialized sheathing, these cables capitalize on the beneficial properties of nanomaterials, noticeably enhancing mechanical shock resistance.
• Micro Optical Cable: Designed specifically for deployment with air pressure or water pressure installation systems, micro optical cables feature various structural designs catering to smart building networks and automated installations.

Summary

Bonelinks is an OEM/ODM supplier of fiber cable products and solutions, dedicated to delivering reliable, quality optical products. We offer a variety of fiber cables widely used in FTTH (fiber-to-the-home), 4G/5G mobile communications, data centers, high-density communications, and other applications. If you are unable to find a product that meets your needs, or if you're searching for a specific solution, contact us as we may already have the answer.

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