Radiation Curable Optical Fiber Secondary Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid radiation curable compositions for optical fiber secondary coatings fail to achieve a balance between high radiation curability and abrasion resistance, which are essential for producing optical fibers with sufficient strength and durability.
Innovation Solution
A radiation curable secondary coating composition comprising urethane (meth)acrylate and a (meth)acrylate compound with two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups and one or more bisphenol structures, where the content of the (meth)acrylate compound ranges from 60 to 300 mass parts per 100 mass parts of urethane (meth)acrylate, providing enhanced hardness and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid radiation curable compositions are used for secondary coating layers, then the coating can be applied and cured, but the resulting layer lacks sufficient abrasion resistance and cannot achieve both high radiation curability and abrasion resistance simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system comprising multiple (meth)acrylate compounds with different molecular structures and properties. Specifically, it combines urethane (meth)acrylate with other (meth)acrylate compounds having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups and one or more bisphenol structures, creating a composite coating composition that achieves both high radiation curability and superior abrasion resistance that cannot be obtained with single materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight and structural parameters of the (meth)acrylate compounds used. By selecting (meth)acrylate compounds with specific molecular weight ranges and structural characteristics (including those with bisphenol structures and multiple ethylenically unsaturated groups), the formulation achieves the desired balance between radiation curability and abrasion resistance
2Strength
If the secondary coating layer is made with high Young's modulus for rigidity, then the optical fiber gains strength, but the abrasion resistance becomes insufficient when physically contacted with the outside world
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite coating system that combines (meth)acrylate compounds with different structural characteristics. The combination of urethane (meth)acrylate with (meth)acrylate compounds containing bisphenol structures and multiple ethylenically unsaturated groups produces a cured coating that simultaneously achieves high Young's modulus for rigidity and superior abrasion resistance for durability
3Ease of manufacture
If the curability of the radiation curable liquid coating composition is improved, then the surface layer cures properly, but the abrasion resistance of the outermost layer becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the radiation curable coating by incorporating (meth)acrylate compounds with specific structural features including bisphenol structures and multiple ethylenically unsaturated groups. This compositional parameter change enables the coating to maintain high curability while achieving the required abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent formulates a composite radiation curable coating composition that combines urethane (meth)acrylate with other (meth)acrylate compounds having complementary properties. This composite system ensures both excellent radiation curability for proper surface curing and superior abrasion resistance for the outermost layer
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 composition results in a secondary coating layer with high Young's modulus and low breaking elongation, effectively resisting external damage and maintaining optical properties, thus improving the durability and performance of optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
two layers of radiation curable liquid coating are applied by means of a coating applicators, and the glass fiber is pulled at high speed and passes through a cylindrical body in a photoirradiation apparatus, at which time the composition is cured by the radiation emitted from the irradiation apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation curable secondary coating composition for optical fiber is described and claimed. This radiation curable secondary coating composition includes component (A) which is a urethane (meth)acrylate and component (B) which is a (meth)acrylate compound with two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups and one or more bisphenol structures; wherein the content of component (B) in the composition is 60-300 mass parts per 100 mass parts of component (A). The liquid secondary coating has a viscosity at 25° C. of from about 0.1 Pa·s to about 15 Pa·s. Films obtained by curing the liquid radiation curable secondary coating composition of the present invention have a Young's modulus of from about 600 MPa to about 500 MPa and the breaking elongation of the cured film is from about to 5% to about 50%.