Optical Fiber Resin Composition Viscosity and Strength Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Resin compositions for optical fibers face challenges in balancing application properties and coating film properties, leading to issues with viscosity, brittleness, and strength when adjusting the amount of diluting monomers, which affects the lateral pressure characteristics of the optical fiber.

Innovation Solution

A resin composition comprising a base resin with urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, a monomer with a phenoxy group, an epoxy (meth)acrylate oligomer, and hydrophobic inorganic oxide particles, with specific viscosity and phenoxy group content ranges, along with additional monomers to adjust viscosity and Young's modulus, is used to create a balanced coating film with improved lateral pressure characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the amount of diluting monomer is increased to adjust viscosity, then application property is improved, but the coating film becomes brittle and strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication propertyVSAvoidcoating film strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the viscosity of the resin composition within 500-3500 mPa·s at 45°C and limiting the monomer content to 1-30% by mass based on total base resin. This optimization balances the fluidity needed for application with the structural integrity required for coating film strength, avoiding both excessive brittleness and insufficient strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite resin system combining urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, epoxy (meth)acrylate oligomer, and controlled monomer content. This composite approach allows the resin to achieve both good application properties and coating film strength by synergistically combining different resin components with complementary characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the amount of diluting monomer is increased to adjust viscosity, then application property is improved, but the coating film becomes brittle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication propertyVSAvoidcoating film brittleness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the monomer content parameter to 1-30% by mass based on total base resin and controls viscosity to 500-3500 mPa·s at 45°C. This parameter optimization ensures the resin has sufficient fluidity for application while maintaining adequate oligomer content to prevent coating film brittleness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite resin system with urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer and epoxy (meth)acrylate oligomer that work synergistically. The oligomers provide structural stability and prevent brittleness while the controlled monomer content ensures good application properties, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and composition stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 resin composition achieves both application properties and coating film properties, enhancing the lateral pressure characteristics of optical fibers by forming a strong and durable secondary coating layer.

Implementation Method 1

a base resin containing a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, a monomer having a phenoxy group, an epoxy (meth)acrylate oligomer and a photopolymerization initiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3778682B1Resin composition, secondary coating material for optical fiber, and optical fiber
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3778682B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A resin composition comprises a base resin containing an urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, a monomer having a phenoxy group, and a photopolymerization initiator, and hydrophobic inorganic oxide particles, wherein the viscosity is 300 mPa·s or more and 4200 mPa·s or less at 45°C and the content of the monomer having a phenoxy group is 1% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less based on the total amount of the base resin.