Fiber Optic Cable Materials

The optical fiber is the transmit medium in all fiber optic cables. It is the primary element for a fiber cable. According its different specifications and how the optical fiber is produced, we can see a large variety of optical fiber, such as SM, MM.

When the fiber optic cable is constructed in multi loose tube or has large fiber count, there is a CSM (central strength member) put in the center of the cable. All loose tube with optical fiber will stranding along with the CSM.

To ensure the mechanical and optical performance of a fiber cable in strict or harsh environment, one layer of several layers of reinforcement materials will be needed during production.

Basic protection is a steel or aluminum armoring, steel wire armoring and aramid yarn protection are common protective materials.

It is quite necessary to protect fiber cable from water damage in operations, for all underwater fiber cables and other fiber cables outdoors or in humid environment. There are mainly 3 different water-blocking materials are used in fiber optic cable.

Most of fiber optic cables are installed in ducts, underground, or hanging with an extra messenger wire. There are also fiber optic cables that can be hang on its own, and this is a supporting wire besides the cable.

Other materials such as loose tube and rip cord are also indispensable for a fully constructed fiber optic cable.

Fiber cable sheath or jacket is the outside of all fiber optic cable materials, it directly contact with the external environment. So the material of the fiber optic cable outer sheath must be able to withstand the sun and rain, and not crack due to ultraviolet radiation.

At the same time, it must have certain tensile and flexural capabilities, and can withstand the abrasion during construction and the chemical corrosion in the use engineering.