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High-Temperature Ageing of Modern Polymer-Coated Optical Fibres

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

P. Mauron ,
Ph. M. Nellen  and
U. Sennhauser
P. Mauron
Affiliation:
EMPA, CH-8600 DUbendorf, Switzerland
Ph. M. Nellen
Affiliation:
EMPA, CH-8600 DUbendorf, Switzerland
U. Sennhauser
Affiliation:
EMPA, CH-8600 DUbendorf, Switzerland
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Abstract

Reliability and durability are essential for optical fibres in both telecommunication networks and sensor applications. We report on stress-free accelerated ageing of modem telecommunication fibres in a temperature range from 60 °C to 150 °;C in dry air, relative humidity (rh) up to 85 %, and deionised water. Fibre fracture stress was measured by dynamic tensile testing according to IEC 60793-1-3 standard requirements. Ambient humidity effects on fibre fracture strength are shown. High temperature and relative humidity ageing behaviour of fibres and acrylate coatings is discussed. Fibre fracture strengths were fitted as functions of ageing time and ageing temperature using single process Arrhenius-based models. Acceleration factors can differ by several orders of magnitude, depending on the activation energy of the process. High temperatures damage acrylate coatings, which might deteriorate its adhesion to the fibre, thus introducing new ageing mechanisms not experienced under service conditions. Nevertheless, short time ageing at high temperature is useful for estimating relative lifetime of different products and for optimizing production process.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 531: Symposium DD – Reliabilty of Photonics Materials & Structures , 1998 , 125
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

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