Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a polymer composition that includes at least one polymer and an aversive additive dispersed in the at least one polymer. The aversive additive is made of a zeolite material and an aversive material infused within pores of the zeolite material. In embodiments, the aversive additive is incorporated into an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber and a polymeric jacket that surrounds the at least one optical fiber. The polymeric jacket is made of a polymer matrix and the aversive additive is dispersed in the polymer matrix. Embodiments of a method of infusing an aversive material into a zeolite material to form the aversive additive are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of a polymer composition are provided. The polymer composition incudes at least one polymer and an aversive additive dispersed in the at least one polymer. The aversive additive includes a porous inorganic material having pores and an aversive material contained within the pores of the porous inorganic material. In embodiments, the polymer composition may be incorporated as jacketing into an optical fiber cable. Also disclosed is a method including the step of infusing an aversive material into a porous inorganic material to form an aversive additive. The porous inorganic material includes particles having an average porosity of from 25% to 75% and a median diameter of 100 ?m or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plasma treatment (under atmospheric conditions or under vacuum conditions) of a jacketed cable comprising a cable jacket and a heat shrink tubing. The plasma treatment improves retention properties of an optical fiber cable assembly by imparting a permanent change on a polymer surface of the cable jacket by cross-linking, leading to eventual graphitization, that can result in a diffusion barrier layer at an interface of the cable jacket and the heat shrink tubing, which prevents or minimizes plasticizer migration and results in an environmental seal (e.g., a long-term water tight seal).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a plasma treatment (under atmospheric conditions or under vacuum conditions) of a jacketed cable comprising a cable jacket and a heat shrink tubing. The plasma treatment improves retention properties of an optical fiber cable assembly by imparting a permanent change on a polymer surface of the cable jacket by cross-linking, leading to eventual graphitization, that can result in a diffusion barrier layer at an interface of the cable jacket and the heat shrink tubing, which prevents or minimizes plasticizer migration and results in an environmental seal (e.g., a long-term water tight seal).

Abstract: Embodiments of a polymer composition that are configured for repelling animals are provided. The polymer composition includes at least one polymer, and a plurality of aversive additive particles dispersed in the at least one polymer. Each aversive additive particle is made up of an encapsulant, an aversive material contained within the encapsulant, and a protective material deposited around the encapsulant. The polymer composition can be used as a polymer jacket for a cable, such as an optical fiber cable, to keep animals from damaging the cable.