Abstract: A cable includes an optical fiber, a buffer tube having the optical fiber arranged therein, and a thermoset material for connecting the optical fiber to the buffer tube. The thermoset material will not melt or appreciably soften and will maintain basic elastomeric flexibility in a temperature range of −40 to 70 degrees Celsius. The thermoset material may be a flame-retardant silicone elastomer, base and curing agent, as well as a liquid rubber molded compound, which is not flame-retardant. The thermoset material allows for fiber helix movement as the cable expands and contracts from −40 to +70 degrees Celsius, and is cyclically placed for connecting the optical fiber to the buffer tube at intervals of about every ½ meter, as well as at intervals of about every 10 meters.

Abstract: The present invention provides an indoor/outdoor cable having an optical fiber, a dry-loose tube, a fiberglass yarn matrix and a jacket, with water swellable powder. The dry-loose tube has the optical fiber arranged therein. The fiberglass yarn matrix has fiberglass yarns and is arranged about the dry-loose tube. The jacket is arranged about the fiberglass yarn matrix. Either the jacket, dry-loose tube, fiberglass yarn matrix or a combination thereof, is made from an optimum blend of FRPVC and PVDF in a ratio of 50% PVDF and 50% FRPVC. The ratio is in a range of 30-60% PVDF to 70-40% FRPVC. The diameter of the water swellable powder particles sprinkled on the optical fiber are less than 50 microns, are in a range of 10-50 microns, and are applied on the optical fiber with about 0.10-1.0 grams per meter. The indoor/outdoor flame-retardant cable also may have a cyclically-placed low viscosity elastomer for connecting the one or more optical fibers to the dry-loose buffer tube.