In a
fiber optic cable, a buffer is one type of component used to encapsulate one or more
optical fibers for the purpose of providing such functions as mechanical isolation, protection from physical damage and fiber identification.
The buffer may take the form of a miniature conduit, contained within the cable and called a "loose buffer", or "loose buffer tube". A loose buffer may contain more than one fiber, and sometimes contains a lubricating
gel. A "tight buffer" consists of a
polymer coating in intimate contact with the primary coating applied to the fiber during manufacture.
Buffer application methods include spraying, dipping, extrusion and electrostatic methods. Materials used to create buffers can include
fluoropolymer
A fluoropolymer is a fluorocarbon-based polymer with multiple carbon–fluorine bonds. It is characterized by a high resistance to solvents, acids, and bases. The best known fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene under the brand name "Teflon ...
s such as
polyvinylidene fluoride (Kynar),
polytetrafluoroethylene
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has numerous applications. It is one of the best-known and widely applied PFAS. The commonly known brand name of PTFE-based composition is Teflon by Chemour ...
(Teflon), or
polyurethane.
See also
*
Core (optical fiber)
*
Cladding (optical fiber)
References
Fiber optics
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