Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a jacket and a plurality of stranded core subunits, each core subunit comprising a flexible sheath and a plurality of ribbons arranged in a ribbon group, wherein each ribbon of the plurality of ribbons comprises a plurality of connected fibers such that 50-70% of the cross-sectional area inside the sheath is occupied by the connected fibers. The flexible sheath may be an extruded PVC material that conforms to the shape of the ribbon stack and keeps all of the ribbons acting as a unitary body during bending.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a jacket and a plurality of stranded core subunits, each core subunit comprising a flexible sheath and a plurality of ribbons arranged in a ribbon group, wherein each ribbon of the plurality of ribbons comprises a plurality of connected fibers such that 50-70% of the cross-sectional area inside the sheath is occupied by the connected fibers. The flexible sheath may be an extruded PVC material that conforms to the shape of the ribbon stack and keeps all of the ribbons acting as a unitary body during bending.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising a cellulose ester component that comprises at least one cellulose ester; and an elastomeric component that comprises at least one elastomer, where the elastomeric component comprises 30 wt % or more of the composition, and where the composition is thermoplastic. Processes for producing the compositions as well as articles made using these compositions, such as automotive interior components, are also provided.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a jacket surrounding the core. The jacket includes a base layer, a surface layer defining an exterior surface of the fiber optic cable, and an interface between the surface and base layers. The base layer is formed from a first composition that includes polyethylene. The surface layer has a thickness of at least 300 micrometers and is formed from a second composition that differs from the first composition. The second composition includes polyethylene as well as one or more additives, including paracrystalline carbon. The interface cohesively bonds the surface and base layers to one another at least in part due to molecular chain entanglement of the polyethylene of the first and second compositions.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a jacket surrounding the core. The jacket includes a base layer formed from a foamed material including a polymer. A surface layer of the jacket is formed from a second composition that differs from the first composition and also includes the polymer. An interface bonds the surface and base layers to one another.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a jacket and a plurality of stranded core subunits, each core subunit comprising a flexible sheath and a plurality of ribbons arranged in a ribbon group, wherein each ribbon of the plurality of ribbons comprises a plurality of connected fibers such that 50-70% of the cross-sectional area inside the sheath is occupied by the connected fibers. The flexible sheath may be an extruded PVC material that conforms to the shape of the ribbon stack and keeps all of the ribbons acting as a unitary body during bending.

Abstract: A flame retardant compound is provided. The flame retardant compound includes a polymer base resin, a carbonific host compound, and a guest compound including at least one atom of a transition metal. The carbonific host compound and the guest compound form a host-guest complex, and the host-guest complex acts to inhibit at least one of smoke release and smoke formation when exposed to heat. The host-guest complex is distributed within the polymer base resin. An intumescent flame retardant compound is also provided. The intumescent flame retardant compound includes a base resin, an acid donor, a spumific agent, a cyclodextrin host compound, and a guest compound including at least one atom of molybdenum. The cyclodextrin host compound and the guest compound form a host-guest complex. The acid donor, carbonific host compound, and spumific agent react when exposed to a temperature above 280° C. to form a foam.

Abstract: A flame retardant compound is provided. The flame retardant compound includes a polymer base resin, a carbonific host compound, and a guest compound including at least one atom of a transition metal. The carbonific host compound and the guest compound form a host-guest complex, and the host-guest complex acts to inhibit at least one of smoke release and smoke formation when exposed to heat. The host-guest complex is distributed within the polymer base resin. An intumescent flame retardant compound is also provided. The intumescent flame retardant compound includes a base resin, an acid donor, a spumific agent, a cyclodextrin host compound, and a guest compound including at least one atom of molybdenum. The cyclodextrin host compound and the guest compound form a host-guest complex. The acid donor, carbonific host compound, and spumific agent react when exposed to a temperature above 280° C. to form a foam.

Abstract: A flame retardant compound is provided. The flame retardant compound includes a polymer base resin, a carbonific host compound, and a guest compound including at least one atom of a transition metal. The carbonific host compound and the guest compound form a host-guest complex, and the host-guest complex acts to inhibit at least one of smoke release and smoke formation when exposed to heat. The host-guest complex is distributed within the polymer base resin. An intumescent flame retardant compound is also provided. The intumescent flame retardant compound includes a base resin, an acid donor, a spumific agent, a cyclodextrin host compound, and a guest compound including at least one atom of molybdenum. The cyclodextrin host compound and the guest compound form a host-guest complex. The acid donor, carbonific host compound, and spumific agent react when exposed to a temperature above 280° C. to form a foam.

Abstract: A polymer composition is provided. The polymer composition includes a polyolefin, at least 30% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, and a filler material. When the polymer composition is formed into an article having a longitudinal axis, the polymer composition has an average coefficient of thermal expansion along a longitudinal axis of less than or equal to 150×10?6 m/mK as measured from ?40° C. to 25° C. Further, the polymer composition has an elastic modulus of less than 3000 MPa as measured using dynamic mechanical analysis (ASTM D4065), and the polymer composition has an elongation at break of greater than 200% along the longitudinal axis (measured according to ASTM D638). An article made from the polymer composition and a cable including the polymer composition are also provided.

Abstract: A crush resistant optical cable and/or crush resistant optical fiber buffer tube are provided. The cable generally includes a tube having at least one layer formed from a first material and an optical fiber located within a channel of the first tube. The buffer tube is configured to protect optical fibers from crush or impact events through a cushioning action. For example, the first material may be a polymer material having modulus of elasticity of less than 200 MPa, and the layer of the tube acts as a compliant cushioning layer at least partially contacting and surrounding an outer surface of the optical fiber when radially directed forces are applied to the outer surface of the tube.

Abstract: A polymer composition is provided. The polymer composition includes a polyolefin, at least 30% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, and a filler material. When the polymer composition is formed into an article having a longitudinal axis, the polymer composition has an average coefficient of thermal expansion along a longitudinal axis of less than or equal to 150×10?6 m/mK as measured from ?40° C. to 25° C. Further, the polymer composition has an elastic modulus of less than 3000 MPa as measured using dynamic mechanical analysis (ASTM D4065), and the polymer composition has an elongation at break of greater than 200% along the longitudinal axis (measured according to ASTM D638). An article made from the polymer composition and a cable including the polymer composition are also provided.

Abstract: A polymer composition is provided. The polymer composition includes a polyolefin, at least 30% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, and a filler material. When the polymer composition is formed into an article having a longitudinal axis, the polymer composition has an average coefficient of thermal expansion along a longitudinal axis of less than or equal to 150×10?6 m/mK as measured from ?40° C. to 25° C. Further, the polymer composition has an elastic modulus of less than 3000 MPa as measured using dynamic mechanical analysis (ASTM D4065), and the polymer composition has an elongation at break of greater than 200% along the longitudinal axis (measured according to ASTM D638). An article made from the polymer composition and a cable including the polymer composition are also provided.

Abstract: A flame retardant compound is provided. The flame retardant compound includes a polymer base resin, a carbonific host compound, and a guest compound including at least one atom of a transition metal. The carbonific host compound and the guest compound form a host-guest complex, and the host-guest complex acts to inhibit at least one of smoke release and smoke formation when exposed to heat. The host-guest complex is distributed within the polymer base resin. An intumescent flame retardant compound is also provided. The intumescent flame retardant compound includes a base resin, an acid donor, a spumific agent, a cyclodextrin host compound, and a guest compound including at least one atom of molybdenum. The cyclodextrin host compound and the guest compound form a host-guest complex. The acid donor, carbonific host compound, and spumific agent react when exposed to a temperature above 280° C. to form a foam.

Abstract: A polymer composition is provided. The polymer composition includes a polyolefin, at least 30% by weight of a thermoplastic elastomer, and a filler material. When the polymer composition is formed into an article having a longitudinal axis, the polymer composition has an average coefficient of thermal expansion along a longitudinal axis of less than or equal to 150×10?6 m/mK as measured from ?40° C. to 25° C. Further, the polymer composition has an elastic modulus of less than 3000 MPa as measured using dynamic mechanical analysis (ASTM D4065), and the polymer composition has an elongation at break of greater than 200% along the longitudinal axis (measured according to ASTM D638). An article made from the polymer composition and a cable including the polymer composition are also provided.

Abstract: A crush resistant optical cable and/or crush resistant optical fiber buffer tube are provided. The cable generally includes a tube having at least one layer formed from a first material and an optical fiber located within a channel of the first tube. The buffer tube is configured to protect optical fibers from crush or impact events through a cushioning action. For example, the first material may be a polymer material having modulus of elasticity of less than 200 MPa, and the layer of the tube acts as a compliant cushioning layer at least partially contacting and surrounding an outer surface of the optical fiber when radially directed forces are applied to the outer surface of the tube.

Abstract: An crush resistant optical cable and/or crush resistant optical fiber buffer tube are provided. The cable generally includes a tube having at least one layer formed from a first material and an optical fiber located within a channel of the first tube. The buffer tube is configured to protect optical fibers from crush or impact events through a cushioning action. For example, the first material may be a polymer material having modulus of elasticity of less than 200 MPa, and the layer of the tube acts as a compliant cushioning layer at least partially contacting and surrounding an outer surface of the optical fiber when radially directed forces are applied to the outer surface of the tube.

Abstract: An crush resistant optical cable and/or crush resistant optical fiber buffer tube are provided. The cable generally includes a tube having at least one layer formed from a first material and an optical fiber located within a channel of the first tube. The buffer tube is configured to protect optical fibers from crush or impact events through a cushioning action. For example, the first material may be a polymer material having modulus of elasticity of less than 200 MPa, and the layer of the tube acts as a compliant cushioning layer at least partially contacting and surrounding an outer surface of the optical fiber when radially directed forces are applied to the outer surface of the tube.

Abstract: A loose-tube fiber optic cable includes a cable core and a jacket. The cable core includes a buffer tube and an optical fiber, where the optical fiber is within the buffer tube. The buffer tube may be positioned at an interior region of the loose-tube fiber optic cable and the jacket may be positioned around the cable core. Material forming the buffer tube may have a composition of greater than or equal to about 70% by weight of a polymer that includes propylene monomers. At least a portion of the polymer may have a beta phase crystal structure characterized by a pseudo hexagonal crystal structure.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a jacket surrounding the core. The jacket includes a base layer, a surface layer defining an exterior surface of the fiber optic cable, and an interface between the surface and base layers. The base layer is formed from a first composition that includes polyethylene. The surface layer has a thickness of at least 300 micrometers and is formed from a second composition that differs from the first composition. The second composition includes polyethylene as well as one or more additives, including paracrystalline carbon. The interface cohesively bonds the surface and base layers to one another at least in part due to molecular chain entanglement of the polyethylene of the first and second compositions.