Abstract: A mixture of two water receptive agents. One of the water receptive agents is a mixture of two distinct superabsorbent substances, at least one of the superabsorbent substances is characterized by a very fast swelling rate whereby it is operative to quickly block the flow of water, and another of the superabsorbent substances is characterized by a high gel strength whereby it is operative to inhibit wicking. The other of the water receptive agents is a water soluble or a hydrophilic resin for enhancing the performance of the superabsorbent substances. An exemplary fiber optic cable (10) includes fiber optic cable components in the form of buffer tubes (25) having two co-extruded layers (26,27). Layer (26) is the mixture of the two water receptive agents.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (40,50) having a cellularized cable component (10,10′,10″), the cellularized cable component including at least one optical fiber and a cable jacket (45,55). The cable jacket can include surface irregularities (46,56) having crests and hollows (46a,46b;56a,56b) for reducing surface-to-surface contact with a surface (60) in the cable passage way. The cable jacket can include a friction reducing additive for lubricating the interface between the cable jacket and the cable passageway or objects in the cable passageway. A method and apparatus for producing the cables is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (40,50) having a cellularized cable component (10,10',10"), the cellularized cable component including at least one optical fiber and a cable jacket (45,55). The cable jacket can include surface irregularities (46,56) having crests and hollows (46a,46b;56a,56b) for reducing surface-to-surface contact with a surface (60) in the cable passage way. The cable jacket can include a friction reducing additive for lubricating the interface between the cable jacket and the cable passageway or objects in the cable passageway. A method and apparatus for producing the cables is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (40) having an fiber optic cable component (10) with a cellularized structure. The fiber optic cable component (10) comprises a body (11) made from a cellularized material having at least one recess (13). The recess (13) includes an optical member (44), and the body (11) is surrounded by a protective sheath (45).