Patent ID: 6600859
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical fiber ribbon comprising:a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinally extending optical fibers forming a substantially planar transverse array encased in a dual matrix; a first ultra-violet curable matrix bonding material filling interstices between adjacent fibers and surrounding said fibers for bonding said array in ribbon form, said first matrix material having an elastic modulus at room temperature of a minimum value of 400 MPa; a second outer ultra-violet curable matrix bonding material different from said first ultra-violet curable matrix bonding material overlying said first matrix bonding material and adhered thereto, said second matrix material having an elastic modulus at room temperature less than the minimum value of said first matrix material and a minimum value of approximately 1 Mpa, said second matrix material having a tear strength less than that of said first matrix material the array being separable at high speeds into individual subunits having a dual matrix coating which are capable of use in the manufacture of ribbon fiber optic cable; and the thickness of said second different matrix material is from 10 to 30 &mgr;m.