On-Line Sensor Systems for Monitoring the Cure of Coatings on Glass Optical Fibers and Assemblies

McClelland, J.F. ; Jones, R.W.

Ames Laboratory

关键词: Light Transmission;    Monitoring;    Fibers;    Polymers;    37 Inorganic, Organic, Physical And Analytical Chemistry;   

DOI  :  10.2172/832891
RP-ID  :  IS-5157
RP-ID  :  W-7405-Eng-82
RP-ID  :  832891

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Glass fiber technology, which enables light transmission and communication over great distances, was developed in the U.S. and has evolved into a major industry in this country. Continuous innovation is required to maintain the leadership position that the U.S. enjoys in glass optical fiber technology. This project addressed a key quality assurance aspect of glass optical fiber and cable assembly production-namely, assuring full cure of the polymer coating that protects the fiber from physical damage and moisture degradation. Properly cured coatings are imperative for the cable-assembly industry because they provide protection from the environment and assure both mechanical strength and long-term performance of the cable assembly, The industry loses approximately 5% of its production due to under-cured fiber. This loss amounts to roughly $70,000,000 per year. The standard procedure in the industry is to spot check cables after production because no on-line method has been available to continuously monitor cure during either the glass-fiber drawing process, which operates at high speeds of roughly 1 kilometer per minute, or the cable-assembly process. Many kilometers of out-of-specification material can therefore be produced before tests catch the flaw. This project strove to eliminate this delay.