Optical Fiber Splicing Recoating with Mold Release Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
The splicing reliability of optical fibers is not sufficient due to the strong adhesion between the recoating layer and the mold, leading to damage during removal and potential defects or breakage, especially in hot and humid environments.
Innovation Solution
A splicing structure of optical fibers with a recoating layer formed from an ultraviolet light curable resin composition containing a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer and a mold release agent, with a mold release agent content of 0.01 to 1.5% by mass, to prevent adhesion issues and enhance splicing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the recoating layer is formed without a mold release agent, then the adhesion between the recoating layer and the mold is strong, but the recoating layer is damaged during removal and splicing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A mold release agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the recoating layer and the mold. The release agent comprises a fluorinated compound (0.01-5 wt%) and a silicone compound (5-50 wt%) in the ultraviolet light curable resin composition, creating a release layer that prevents strong adhesion while maintaining splicing reliability. This mediator allows the recoating layer to be easily removed from the mold without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical composition parameters of the resin are modified by adding specific compounds: fluorinated compounds (0.01-5 wt%) and silicone compounds (5-50 wt%). These parameter changes alter the surface properties and adhesion characteristics of the cured recoating layer, enabling controlled release from the mold while maintaining structural integrity and splicing reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the recoating layer is formed with excessive mold release agent, then the recoating layer is easily removed from the mold, but the recoating layer becomes damaged and splicing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrations of mold release agents are precisely controlled within specific ranges: fluorinated compounds (0.01-5 wt%) and silicone compounds (5-50 wt%). This parameter optimization ensures sufficient release performance for easy removal while preventing excessive release that would compromise the recoating layer's integrity and splicing reliability. The balanced composition achieves the optimal trade-off between ease of removal and structural strength.
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 prevents damage to the recoating layer during removal and maintains splicing reliability, even in challenging environmental conditions, by using a mold release agent in the ultraviolet light curable resin composition, resulting in a robust and reliable splicing structure.
Implementation Method 1
an outer periphery of the bare fiber portion is coated by a recoating layer, the recoating layer is a cured product of an ultraviolet light curable resin composition
Data Source
AI summary
A splicing structure of optical fibers in which optical fibers are coupled together, the optical fibers each comprising: a coated fiber portion including a glass fiber and a coating layer coating an outer periphery of the glass fiber; and a bare fiber portion where a certain length of the glass fiber is projected from an end face of the coating layer in an extending direction, wherein the glass fiber end faces of the bare fiber portion are fusion coupled together, and an outer periphery of the bare fiber portion is coated by a recoating layer, the recoating layer is a cured product of an ultraviolet light curable resin composition including a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer and a mold release agent, and a content of the mold release agent is 0.01 to 1.5% by mass based on a total amount of the ultraviolet light curable resin composition.