Buffered optical fiber having a strippable buffer layer

Abstract

A buffered optical fiber (20) includes an optical fiber (21) comprising a core and a cladding. Typically, the optical fiber is enclosed by at least one layer (23) of coating material. The optical fiber is enclosed by a plastic buffer layer (30). Interposed between the optical fiber and the buffer layer is a boundary layer (40). Importantly, the boundary layer of the present invention is a low modulus material applied as a substantially thick layer relative to the buffer layer. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the boundary layer is about one-forth to one-third the wall thickness of the buffer layer. However, depending on the particular materials selected for the buffer and boundary layer, the wall thickness of the boundary layer can be as thin as one-twenty-fifth (1/25) of the buffer layer. As a result of the present design, there is sufficient adhesion between the buffer layer and the underlying coating material to maintain the buffer layer in place during normal use of the buffered optical fiber. On the other hand, the adhesion is low enough so that the buffer layer may be removed upon the application of reasonably low mechanical stripping forces. Advantageously, the boundary layer also allows the selective removal of the optical fiber coating material as well as the plastic buffer layer.