Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for heat stripping an optical fiber cable having a polymer coating and an optical fiber. A heat source is applied to the polymer coating causing the polymer coating to be heated rapidly to a break temperature, thereby causing the polymer coating to dehydrate, expand and burst outward detaching itself completely from the underneath optical fiber. The heat source is subsequently applied along the optical fiber cable causing the corresponding polymer coating to curl off and expose the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for stripping an optical fiber cable having a polymer coating and an optical fiber using hydration and dehydration techniques. A section of optical fiber cable is first immersed in a hydrating agent, thereby hydrating the corresponding section of polymer coating and causing it to swell. The hydrated polymer coating is then rapidly heated to a fragmentation temperature causing the polymer coating to dehydrate and fragment. Subsequently, the dehydrated polymer coating is re-hydrated using the hydrating agent to separate the polymer coating from the optical fiber.