Optical fiber assemblies, and methods and apparatus for the manufacture thereof

摘要

Methods for manufacturing cables and cables assemblies include providing particulate matter within a tube extruded about optical fiber. The particles may be accelerated so that as they strike the tube they mechanically attach to the tube.

主权项

1. A method of making a fiber optic assembly, comprising:
providing at least one optical fiber; extruding a polymeric tube about the at least one optical fiber; and applying at least a portion of a plurality of water-swellable powder particles to an interior of the tube as the tube is extruded about the at least one optical fiber and the tube is at a temperature of at least 200° C., wherein the water-swellable powder particles comprise super-absorbent polymers and have an average particle size of about 150 microns or less, and wherein the powder particles are conveyed to the interior of the tube in a motive gas at a velocity of at least 5 m/s.