Abstract: The invention includes an optical fiber coating that exhibits the characteristics of a pressure sensitive adhesive. A viscoelastic window for the coating will include at least one set of coordinates that is within Quadrants 2, 3, or 4 or the Transition Flow Region of the Chang viscoelastic of the rheological master curves or will not include at least one set of coordinates that is not within Quadrant 1 of the Chang viscoelastic of the rheological master curves.

Abstract: A coated optical fiber and a curable coating composition for coating an optical fiber, includes a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating may further include at least one reactive monomer. A method for making a coated optical fiber, includes providing an optical fiber; coating the optical fiber with a polymerizable composition including a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating may further include at least one reactive monomer. The method further includes polymerizing the composition under conditions effective to form a coating over the optical fiber.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber coating compositions having, when cured, a Young's modulus of greater than about 950 MPa and a film to film coefficient of friction of less than about 0.44. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an coated optical fiber having a coating having a modulus of greater than about 950 MPa and a fiber to fiber coefficient of friction of less than about 0.74 measured at a speed of about 0.423 cm/sec and with a weight of about 100 grams. The coatings may include additives such as surfactants, surface agents, slip additives, waxes, and micronized polytetrafluoroethylene. The coated optical fibers of the present invention can be freely and smoothly wound on a spool without the formation of fiber loops, crossovers, or other defects.

Abstract: The invention includes an optical fiber coating that exhibits the characteristics of a pressure sensitive adhesive. A viscoelastic window for the coating will include at least one set of coordinates that is within Quadrants 2, 3, or 4 or the Transition Flow Region of the Chang viscoelastic of the Theological master curves or will not include at least one set of coordinates that is not within Quadrant 1 of the Chang viscoelastic of the Theological master curves.

Abstract: A curable coating composition for coating an optical fiber, includes a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating further includes at least one reactive monomer. A coated optical fiber includes an optical fiber having at least one coating layer thereon having a first component which includes a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating further includes at least one reactive monomer. A method for making a coated optical fiber, includes providing an optical fiber; coating the optical fiber with a polymerizable composition including a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating further includes at least one reactive monomer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for coating optical fibers that includes a UV curable coating composition. The composition when cured exhibits a Young's modulus of at least about 950 MPa. The cured inventive coating composition further exhibits either a film to film coefficient of friction of about 0.44 or less or a fiber to fiber coefficient of friction of about 0.74 or less. The invention further includes a fiber coated with the aforementioned inventive coating composition.