Abstract
Organic polymer coatings have very strong effects on the transmission and strength properties' of optical fiber cables intended for telecommunication applications. Coatings are required to protect fibers from abrasive damage. Coatings are also felt to be helpful in the protection of fibers from environmental effects. A second role played by coatings is the reduction of the sensitivity of the fibers to excess optical losses due to microbending.
This paper discusses the relationship between mechanical properties of coating materials and transmission properties of coated fibers. This paper also focuses on new coating materials, UV curable acrylates and thermotropic liquid crystal polymers.
