Polymer Dimensional Changes in Optical Cables

Abstract

Optical cables and fibers are extremely sensitive for mechanical, thermal and environmental conditions, which can affect their optical performance. This article describes known reasons and mechanisms responsible for dimensional changes in temperatures cycling, which can influence optical and mechanical performance and properties of the cables, including internal cable components. Understanding all physical and chemical mechanisms which meet different manufacturing parameters, various materials properties and external conditions allows to control and reduction of cable shrinking and as a result, improving mechanical and optical performance of optical cables.

Temperature-modulated thermomechanical analysis as a potential technique for irreversible stress relaxation measurement in various cables

“…The thermodynamic and kinetic components in this case are in the opposite direction, and the total length change might be not much different from the initial length. A further cooling cycle will add another shrinking effect-physical contraction, which will further change the sample diameters; higher shrinkage will occur after second thermal cycle [1]. Thermomechanical analysis with a modulated temperature program (mT-TMA) seems to be a potential technique for the measurement of all components of shrinkage including the total length change in the sample and the deconvoluted reversible and irreversible parts of dimensional change during temperature cycling.…”