Optical Fiber Resin Composition with Silane Coupling Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing resin compositions for optical fiber primary coating layers face challenges in maintaining a long pot life while enhancing void resistance and lateral pressure characteristics, as the addition of fillers tends to thicken the resin and shorten its pot life due to hydrolysis and condensation reactions.

Innovation Solution

A resin composition incorporating a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, monomer, photopolymerization initiator, and surface-modified inorganic oxide particles with a methacryloyl functional group, which suppresses hydrolysis and condensation reactions, thereby extending the pot life and improving void resistance and lateral pressure characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filler is added to enhance void resistance, then void resistance is improved, but pot life is shortened due to hydrolysis and condensation reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoid resistanceVSAvoidpot life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A silane coupling agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the inorganic oxide filler and the polymerizable resin matrix. The silane coupling agent undergoes controlled hydrolysis and condensation to form a bridging layer that bonds the filler particles to the resin, thereby preventing direct harmful interactions while maintaining filler dispersion and reducing void formation, ultimately extending pot life without sacrificing void resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical parameters of the resin composition are modified by controlling the water content and adding specific catalysts that regulate the rate of silane hydrolysis and condensation reactions. By adjusting these parameters, the reaction kinetics are optimized to prevent premature thickening while ensuring proper filler bonding, thus extending the usable pot life while maintaining improved void resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If filler is added to improve lateral pressure characteristics, then lateral pressure resistance is improved, but resin composition thickens and pot life shortens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral pressure characteristicsVSAvoidpot life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The silane coupling agent serves as a mediator that facilitates strong bonding between the inorganic oxide filler and the polymerizable resin through controlled hydrolysis and condensation reactions. This intermediary layer ensures effective stress transfer from the resin matrix to the filler particles, improving lateral pressure resistance while preventing uncontrolled thickening and extending pot life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite resin composition where inorganic oxide filler particles are chemically bonded to the polymerizable resin matrix through silane coupling agents. This composite structure combines the strength and stiffness of the inorganic filler with the flexibility and adhesion of the organic resin, achieving improved lateral pressure characteristics while maintaining processing stability and extended pot life

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 a long pot life, suppresses void generation, and enhances the optical fiber's lateral pressure characteristics by forming a resin layer with improved strength and stability.

Implementation Method 1

a base resin containing a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, a monomer, a photopolymerization initiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

the silane coupling agent is hydrolyzed and condensation reactions between the silane coupling agents and between the silane coupling agent and hydroxyl groups present on the surface of the inorganic oxide particles occur

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

condensation reactions between the silane coupling agents and between the silane coupling agent and hydroxyl groups present on the surface of the inorganic oxide particles occur

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentEP3882286B1Resin composition and optical fiber
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3882286B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A resin composition includes a base resin containing a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, a monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, and a silane coupling agent, and surface-modified inorganic oxide particles having an ultraviolet curable functional group, wherein the amount of surface modification on the surface-modified inorganic oxide particles is 0.2 mg/m2 or more.