Patent ID: 6051315
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: C03C,G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
An optical fiber cable assembly comprising:(a) an optical fiber; and(b) a reinforcement strand positioned about at least a portion of a periphery of the optical fiber for reinforcing the optical fiber cable, the reinforcement strand comprising a plurality of sized glass fibers having on a surface thereof a dried residue of a secondary aqueous coating composition, the secondary aqueous coating composition comprising:(a) a first polymer prepared by vinyl addition polymerization of a first monomer component comprising a first vinyl aromatic monomer and an acrylic monomer; and(b) a second polymer different from the first polymer, the second polymer being prepared by vinyl addition polymerization of a second monomer component comprising a curable polymer of a second vinyl aromatic monomer, the secondary aqueous coating composition being essentially free of a urethane-containing material, wherein the surface of the strand having thereon the dried residue of the secondary aqueous coating composition wicks water at a rate of less than 25.4 millimeters (one inch) in about six hours at a temperature of about 25.degree. C.