Abstract: A water absorptive composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer as a first component, a water-absorptive resin as a second component, and a third component selected from the group which consists of: a water-soluble resin; a hydrophilic compound selected from the group consisting of metal salt of carboxylic acid, polyhydric alcohol, amino alcohol, linear polyether, saccharide, and sugar alcohol; and a surface treating agent selected from the group consisting of sorbitan fatty acid ester, glycidyl ether of polyhydric alcohol, and silane coupling agent. The composition is suitably used for producing a water absorptive member for protecting optical fiber elements of an optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A process of producing a water absorptive resin, wherein a water absorptive polymer which comprises cross-linked poly(metal salt of acrylic acid) as a major component is impregnated with water, and the water-impregnated water absorptive polymer is exposed to one of a high-temperature highly-humid atmosphere or a ultraviolet radiation, to thereby partially release the cross-linkage of the cross-linked poly(metal salt of acrylic acid).

Abstract: A water absorptive fabric including a layer of a water absorptive polymer whose major components consist of a cross-linked poly(metal salt of acrylic acid) and a water-soluble resin. The fabric may be produced by first impregnating a fabric substrate with a solution which contains a metal salt of acrylic acid in the form of a monomer, a cross-linking agent and a water-soluble resin, and then heating the impregnated fabric substrate to thereby copolymerize the monomer and the cross-linking agent, in the presence of the water-soluble resin.

Abstract: A water absorptive composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer as a first component, a second component and a third component selected from the group which consists of: a water-soluble resin; a hydrophilic compound selected from the group consisting of metal salt of carboxylic acid, polyhydric alcohol, amino alcohol, linear polyether, saccharide, and sugar alcohol; and a surface treating agent selected from the group consisting of sorbitan fatty acid ester, glycidyl ether of polyhydric alcohol, and silane coupling agent. The composition is suitably used for producing a water absorptive member for protecting optical fiber elements of an optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A connector having a body and a connecting portion is molded within a mold in which an end portion of an optical fiber is fixedly positioned. The end portion of the optical fiber consists of an exposed end portion of a core of the fiber and a terminal portion of a sheath of the fiber adjacent to the exposed end portion of the core. A molten mass of a selected synthetic material is injected into the mold at a melt flow rate of 5g/min, whereby the connector is molded integrally with the end portion of the optical fiber, such that the exposed end portion of the core is bonded to the connecting portion, while the terminal portion of the sheath is bonded to the body of the connector. The mold is maintained at a temperature not higher than the softening point of the optical fiber, and the molten resin mass is maintained at a temperature which is higher than the softening point but is not higher than a temperature 150.degree. C. higher than the softening point.

Abstract: A connector having a body and a connecting portion is molded within a mold in which an end portion of an optical fiber is fixedly positioned. The end portion of the optical fiber consists of an exposed end portion of a core of the fiber and a terminal portion of a sheath of the fiber adjacent to the exposed end portion of the core. A molten mass of a selected synthetic material is injected into the mold at a metal flow rate of 5 g/min, whereby the connector is molded integrally with the end portion of the optical fiber, such that the exposed end portion of the core is bonded to the connecting portion, while the terminal portion of the sheath is bonded to the body of the connector. The mold is maintained at a temperature not higher than the softening point of the optical fiber, and the molten resin mass is maintained at a temperature which is higher than the solftening point but is not higher than a temperature 150.degree. C. higher than the softening point.