Abstract: A conical end portion of a connector plug and an end portion of a lightguide fiber which is encapsulated by the plug are prepared to form a conical end portion which is suitable for interconnection with a conical end portion of another plug within a sleeve with precise end separation of opposing end portions of the fibers. The conical portion of the plug is seated in engagement with a surface which is mateable with the outwardly facing surface of a conical end portion of the plug with an end portion of the fiber extending beyond the plug. In order to prepare the lightguide fiber, a disc which is mounted for rotation about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end portion of the lightguide fiber is moved along a path of travel obliquely transverse of the lightguide fiber. This disc is rotated to cause its peripheral edge surface to sever the portion of the lightguide fiber that extends from the plug to form an end surface.

Abstract: A thermally conductive composition comprises an essentially homogeneous mixture of sand or sand-like particulate material with a binder, wherein the binder comprises an organic adhesive having an inorganic fine particle filler therein. The binder is present in at least an amount sufficient to begin to form a binder meniscus between adjacent sand particles, while the filler is present in the binder in an amount which significantly increases the effective thermal conductivity of the composition as compared to the same composition without filler.

Abstract: A telecommunication cable splice closure is disclosed comprising a pair of elongated covers (10) having semi-cylindrical interior walls (12) extending radially about a closure axis (15). Two flat end walls (16) extend from opposed ends of each interior wall normal to the closure axis. A pair of cable clamp supports (22) is provided having annular rims (24) sized to be positioned with the cover interior walls (12) about a cable (46) in flush or in point contact with the end walls (16). Means (52) are also provided for securing the pair of covers (10) together about the clamp supports (22).