Abstract: The invention provides an organic/inorganic hybrid material with a high refractive index at telecommunications wavelengths. Energy curable compositions of the present invention include condensed metal oxide nanoparticles, a high refractive index organometallic coupling agent, an energy curable organometallic coupling agent, and a high refractive index monomer or oligomer. Polymeric materials of the present invention include condensed metal oxide nanoparticles having a mixture of organometallic coupling agents covalently bound to the exterior surface of the nanoparticles and a high refractive index solid polymer matrix, wherein the mixture of organometallic coupling agents includes a high refractive index coupling agent, and a coupling agent covalently bound to the polymer matrix. The materials of the present invention are useful in making optical devices for telecommunications applications.

Abstract: Optical fiber ribbons comprise at least two optical fibers and a matrix material in which the optical fibers are encapsulated. The matrix material exhibits a maximum tensile strength at 100° C. of at least about 1000 psi and an elongation at break at 100° C. of at least about 15%, and the ribbons are easily and cleanly heat strippable in an intact unit to allow fiber splicing.

Abstract: A one-part, cured, radiation-curable liquid matrix composition for affixing coated and inked optical fibers in a ribbon configuration which is peelable from the coated and inked fibers without damage to the integrity of itself or the fibers is disclosed. The composition comprises an aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomer; a reactive monomer having one or more acrylate or methacrylate moieties; a release agent; and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are an optical fiber ribbon array prepared therefrom; a process for removing such matrix composition from inked and coated fibers; a process for preparing such ribbon array; and a radiation-curable coating composition generally applicable for coating a substrate.

Abstract: The present application describes a method for initial polymerization or gelling a composition of epoxy resin at a temperature of 50° C. or less, over a period of 24 hours or less by the incorporation of a fluorinated carboxylic acid. The compositions used in the present invention can be gelled without the use of heat or light. The fluorinated carboxylic acid includes a carboxylic acid terminated fluoropolyether. The composition includes a cycloaliphatic epoxy resin. The invention further includes objects that comprise a polymerization product of a composition or materials prepared according to the method In addition, the present application describes the use of such materials in optical systems that include a first component, a second component, and the material disposed between the first and second optical components.

Abstract: Coated optical fibers comprise a glass optical fiber and a radiation-cured coating formed from a radiation-curable liquid coating composition. The liquid coating composition comprises at least one aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomer, at least one acrylated or methacrylated compound selected from the group consisting of isobornyl acrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, alkanediol diacrylate, alkanediol dimethacrylates, alkoxylated derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof, and a photoinitiator. In one embodiment, the compositions further include a silicone compatibility agent which reduces the coefficient of friction of the radiation-cured coating without disadvantageously effecting other physical properties of the liquid coating compositions or the cured coating, and particularly without disadvantageously effecting the optical clarity of the liquid coating compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated optical fibers which are coated with a particular radiation-cured primary coating layer composition. The fibers which are coated comprises a glass core and a glass cladding layer. The core, for example may comprises silica doped with oxides of germanium or phosphorous and the cladding, a pure or doped silicate such as fluorosilicate. Alternatively, the fibers may comprises a polymerclad silica glass core. Examples of such claddings include organosiloxanes such as polydimethylsiloxane or a fluorinated acrylic polymer.

Abstract: A one-part, cured, radiation-curable liquid matrix composition for affixing coated and inked optical fibers in a ribbon configuration which is peelable from the coated and inked fibers without damage to the integrity of itself or the fibers is disclosed. The composition comprises an aliphatic urethane acrylate oligomer; a reactive monomer having one or more acrylate or methacrylate moieties; a release agent; and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are an optical fiber ribbon array prepared therefrom; a process for removing such matrix composition from inked and coated fibers; a process for preparing such ribbon array; and a radiation-curable coating composition generally applicable for coating a substrate.

Abstract: Coated optical fibers with radiation-curable coatings which include mercaptofunctional oligomers are disclosed. Specifically, the coatings may comprise the cured reaction products of mercapto-terminated urethane oligomers of number average molecular weight as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of at least about 3,000 daltons, particularly in combination with one or more (meth)acrylate-terminated urethane oligomers; monomer diluents; and optional silane adhesion promoter, photoinitiator and stabilizers. The coatings, when cured, exhibit a percent extractables content, as obtained by Soxhlet extraction, of no more than about 15%, and preferably of no more than about 8%, and a volatiles content, as obtained by thermogravimetric analysis, of less than about 7%, and preferably less than about 3%. Processes for preparing such coated optical fibers and the coatings per se are also disclosed.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation-curable primary and secondary coating compositions for optical fibers are disclosed. The primary coatings comprise a hydrocarbon polyol-based reactively terminated aliphatic urethane oligomer; a hydrocarbon monomer terminated with at least one end group capable of reacting with the terminus of the oligomer; and an optional photoinitiator. The secondary coatings comprise a polyester and/or polyether-based aliphatic urethane reactively terminated oligomer; a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are optical fibers coated with the secondary coating alone or with the primary and secondary coatings of the invention.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation-curable primary coating compositions for optical fibers are disclosed. The primary coatings comprise a polyether polyol-based reactively terminated aliphatic urethane oligomer; one or more diluent monomers terminated with at least one end group capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of the oligomer; an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter; and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are optical fibers coated with the coatings of the invention, and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation-curable primary coating compositions for optical fibers are disclosed. The primary coatings comprise a polyether polyol-based reactively terminated aliphatic urethane oligomer; one or more diluent monomers terminated with at least one end group capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of the oligomer; an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter; and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are optical fibers coated with the coatings of the invention, and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation-curable primary and secondary coating compositions for optical fibers are disclosed. The primary coatings comprise a hydrocarbon polyol-based reactively terminated aliphatic urethane oligomer; a hydrocarbon monomer terminated with at least one end group capable of reacting with the terminus of the oligomer; and an optional photoinitiator. The secondary coatings comprise a polyester and/or polyether-based aliphatic urethane reactively terminated oligomer; a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are optical fibers coated with the secondary coating alone or with the primary and secondary coatings of the invention.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation-curable primary coating compositions for optical fibers are disclosed. The primary coatings comprise a polyether polyol-based reactively terminated aliphatic urethane oligomer; one or more diluent monomers terminated with at least one end group capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of the oligomer; an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter; and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are optical fibers coated with the coatings of the invention, and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation-curable primary and secondary coating compositions for optical fibers are disclosed. The primary coatings comprise a hydrocarbon polyol-based reactively terminated aliphatic urethane oligomer; a hydrocarbon monomer terminated with at least one end group capable of reacting with the terminus of the oligomer; and an optional photoinitiator. The secondary coatings comprise a polyester and/or polyether-based aliphatic urethane reactively terminated oligomer; a hydrocarbonaceous viscosity-adjusting component capable of reacting with the reactive terminus of (I); and an optional photoinitiator. Also disclosed are optical fibers coated with the secondary coating alone or with the primary and secondary coatings of the invention.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation-curable primary and secondary coating compositions for optical fibers are disclosed. The primary coatings comprise a hydrocarbon polyol-based acrylated or methacrylated aliphatic urethane oligomer; an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate monomer; a refractive index modifying monomer or oligomer; a silane adhesion promoter; and a photoinitiator. The secondary coatings comprise a polyester-based aliphatic urethane acrylate or methacrylate oligomer; an acrylated or methacrylated compound; and a photoinitiator. Also disclosed are optical fibers coated with the secondary coating alone or with the primary and secondary coatings of the invention.

Abstract: An extensible and pasteurizable radiation curable coating for metal and a process for preparing a metal article coated therewith are provided. The composition comprises a bulky acrylate or methacrylate monomer; a specific combination of oligomers; and an organofunctional silane adhesion promoter. Optionally, the composition may comprise one or more additives such as a photoinitiator; a coinitiator; abrasion resistance, slip, and flow-out additives; wetting promoters; and extender resin. The process comprises the steps of applying a coating to one surface of a metal article and curing the coating, wherein the coating is as defined above.

Abstract: An extensible and pasteurizable radiation curable coating for metal and a process for preparing a metal article coated therewith are provided. The composition comprises a bulky acrylate or methacrylate monomer; a specific combination of oligomers; and an acidic adhesion promoter. Optionally, the composition may comprise one or more additives such as a photoinitiator; abrasion resistance, slip, and flow-out additives; wetting promoters; and extender resin. The process comprises the steps of applying a coating to one surface of a metal article and curing the coating, wherein the coating is as defined above.