Abstract: A limited combustible optical fiber includes a plurality of optical fibers in a loose tube or tight buffer arrangement. For example, a buffer tube jacket is made of a flame retardant material. A strengthening member made of aromatic polyamide fiber surrounds the buffer tube jacket. An outer layer jacket surrounds the strengthening member, wherein the buffer tube jacket and the outer layer jacket are formed by a composition including a fluoropolymeric base polymer and a nanoclay additive, such that the limited combustible fiber passes NFPA 255/NFPA 259 testing requirements.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon cable in which the edge fibers are protected from experience excessive stress from impact of the like during manufacturing, installation and use. The cable includes an optical fiber ribbon having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel including edge fibers respectively located on opposite edges of the ribbon and interior fibers located between the edge fibers; and an optical fiber jacket surrounding the ribbon and defining a first space between said jacket and each of the edge fibers and a second space, contiguous with said first space, between said jacket and the interior fibers. The width of said first space adjacent the edge fibers is greater than a width of said second space adjacent the interior fibers.