Plastic Strength Member For Nonmetallic Optical Fiber Cables Used In Fiber Optic Local Area Networks

Abstract

The nonmetallic optical fibers cables have been required in several applications of optoelectronic communication systems. The dielectric fiber lightguide attends the environment characteristics described above and the nonmetallic optical fiber cables meets the optical fiber features (lightwave weight, ground loop free ...). Strength member is the most important component for optical cables. It's responsable to keep the optical fibers free of stress during cable installation. The strength member must not only have a high modulus but must be compatible with the other components of the cable, specially during processing of these materials in cable manufacture. The coefficient of thermal expansion is very important because various plastic materials are typically extruded during cable fabrication, and dimensional changes can cause serious problems during manufacture or subsequent environment temperature extremes if the cable is not properly designed. Cost has been the barrier to using fiber optic links in low and moderate data rate, short and moderate haul applications. KevlarR and F.R.P. are imported materials in Brazil, therefore they are expensive. We have developed a plastic strength member to meet the economic viability of the optoelectronic system. The application of this plastic strength member in tight structure and loose structure are described. The reliability of this composite material as strength member in optical cables as well as the comparison with various imported FRP are shown.