Optical Fiber Secondary Coating Thermal Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of optical fibers is complex and costly due to the need for precise temperature control and inert gas environments for radiation curing of conventional UV-curable acrylate polymer coatings, which limits the flexibility and efficiency of the coating process.
Innovation Solution
A curable coating composition comprising a polyester obtained by esterification of carboxylic acids or triglycerides with polyols, combined with an aromatic glycidyl epoxy resin and an aliphatic polyether hardener, which can be cured either thermally or by radiation, allowing for simpler and less controlled curing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If UV-curable acrylate polymer coatings are used for secondary coating, then the coating can be applied at low temperatures, but the curing process requires precise temperature control and inert gas environments, increasing device complexity and manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism from UV radiation to thermal curing, allowing the coating to be cured at elevated temperatures (e.g., 80-200°C) without requiring inert gas environments or complex radiation control systems. This parameter change simplifies the curing apparatus while maintaining coating quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the UV radiation curing system with a thermal curing system, substituting an optical/electromagnetic field-based process with a thermal field-based process. This eliminates the need for UV lamps, radiation shielding, and inert gas handling equipment, thereby reducing device complexity
2Temperature
If UV-curable acrylate polymer coatings are used for secondary coating, then the coating can be applied at low temperatures, but the manufacturing process becomes costly due to the need for inert gas environments and precise temperature control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism from UV radiation to thermal curing, allowing the coating to be cured at elevated temperatures (e.g., 80-200°C) without requiring inert gas environments or complex radiation control systems. This parameter change simplifies the curing apparatus while maintaining coating quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the UV radiation curing system with a thermal curing system, substituting an optical/electromagnetic field-based process with a thermal field-based process. This eliminates the need for UV lamps, radiation shielding, and inert gas handling equipment, thereby reducing device complexity
3Strength
If conventional polymeric materials are used as secondary coatings, then the coating provides adequate mechanical protection, but the manufacturing process requires complex apparatuses for temperature control and inert gas flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism from UV radiation to thermal curing, allowing the coating to be cured at elevated temperatures (e.g., 80-200°C) without requiring inert gas environments or complex radiation control systems. This parameter change simplifies the curing apparatus while maintaining coating quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the UV radiation curing system with a thermal curing system, substituting an optical/electromagnetic field-based process with a thermal field-based process. This eliminates the need for UV lamps, radiation shielding, and inert gas handling equipment, thereby reducing device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides optical fibers with a secondary coating that has optimal mechanical properties, enabling use over a wide temperature range (-60°C to +300°C) and reducing the complexity and cost of the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for precise temperature control and inert gas environments.
Implementation Method 1
The coating material can be either radiation cured or, more advantageously, thermally cured
Implementation Method 2
a cured secondary coating obtained from a curable coating composition comprising a polyester and an epoxy resin
Implementation Method 3
The coating material can be either radiation cured or, more advantageously, thermally cured
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fibre comprising: an optical waveguide comprising a glass core surrounded by a glass cladding; a primary coating surrounding the optical waveguide; a secondary coating, surrounding the primary coating, comprising a cured polymer material obtained by curing a curable coating composition comprising: (a) a polyester obtained by esterification of a reactant A selected from carboxylic acids, triglycerides, and mixtures thereof, having a C16-C24 aliphatic chain comprising at least two double bonds spaced by one carbon atom at most, with a reactant B selected from polyols having at least 3 hydroxyl groups, the polyols being thermally stable up to 300°C; (b) an aromatic glycidyl epoxy resin; (c) an aliphatic polyether hardener containing from 8 to 64 hydroxy groups and/or from 2 to 4 epoxy groups; and (d) a secondary amine compound as curing agent. Preferably, the step of curing is a thermal curing, preferably up to 300°C. When cured by heat, the coating material can be applied during the drawing process of the fibre so as to exploit the heat of the just drawn glass fibre as heat source for curing.