Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable involves embedding a traction-resistant axial strength member of at least one wire of precipitation hardened martensitic steel in a rod of thermoplastic material extruded thereabout while forming longitudinal grooves or cavities in the periphery while subjecting the rod and the strength member to an initial axial traction stress, extending them by less than their elastic limits, disposing optical fibers in the grooves or cavities of the rod while still under axial traction stress, and removing the axial traction stress. An extrusion machine has a head terminating in an axial outlet. A fixed member extends around a rotary die supporting the die on bearings internally of the fixed member. The fixed member is fixed to the front face of the extrusion machine and supports a die inlet axially spaced from the front face and the head outlet to ensure that a small controlled amount of plastic material leaks radially at the gap to the exterior.

Abstract: A device for reinforcing the butt weld (5) of two optical fibres (1,2) in a telecommunications cable. The ends of the fibres are stripped. Said device comprises a metal capillary tube (6) which extends on either side of these ends along some length of the sheaths of the fibres. The capillary tube is made of a metal of high mechanical strength and surrounds the sheaths with little clearance. The remaining space (7,8) between the capillary tube and the stripped ends of the fibres and between the capillary tube and the sheaths of the fibres is filled with a slow-setting adhesive which is very fluid when in the liquid state and which sets in the absence of air.