Several methods are used for applying an adhesive and some use an “accelerator” or chemical that makes the adhesive set instantaneously. While fusion splicing is the primary method for permanently joining two fiber ends for signal continuity, adhesives play a crucial role in various other aspects of fiber optic cable assembly and component manufacturing. These applications demand adhesives that offer not only strong mechanical bonds. Manufacturers have invented and tested many different ways of attaching a connector to that hair-thin strand of glass, including various methods of gluing, crimping or clamping. Some methods factory make the connector with a fiber stub which is spliced to the fiber for termination. However, either. The adhesive must meet an exacting set of criteria to ensure the optical signal remains unimpeded: Optical Clarity and Transmission: The adhesive must be perfectly clear and highly transparent across the specific wavelengths of light transmitted through the fiber. Optical properties impact the performance of components including but not limited to refractive index, viscosity, Tg (°C), pot life, and operating temp/CTE.
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