Abstract: A fiber optic splicing system for accommodating optical fibers having similar or distinctly different buffered coating sizes. The system comprises a first pair of housing halves forming a body with opposed ends adapted to receive two optical fiber of a first similar size; a second pair of housing halves forming a body with opposed ends adapted to receive two optical fibers of a second similar size, different from said first size; and a third pair of housing halves forming a body having one end formed to receive one of said first size of optical fiber and another end formed to receive one of said second, different size of optical fiber. Holding means in the form of slidable end caps cooperate with the ends of the housing to apply radial compression thereto to maintain the fibers in position without the use of crimps or adhesives. A center portion of the halves can be formed to accept elastic means for receiving fibers or, alternatively, a hollow sleeve which includes the elastic means therein.

Abstract: Iron based brazing alloys selected from particular alloys of the B-Si-Ni-Fe and B-Si-Ni-Cr-Fe systems are practical substitutes for AMS4777 alloy (3B 4Si 7Cr 3Fe 83Ni).