Thermal Stress in a Polymer Coated Optical Glass Fiber with a Low Modem Coating at the Ends

A simple analytical model is developed for the prediction of the thermally induced interfacial stresses in a polymer coated glass fiber with a low modulus coating at the ends. We used the developed model to find out whether the application of low modulus coating can lead to an appreciable reduction in the maximum interfacial shearing stress. Based on the calculated data, we conclude that there is a definite incentive for employing such a bi-material coating system, in which a "conventional" polymeric material is used in the mid-portion of the fiber and a low modulus material is applied at its ends. Such a coating system can be recommended when the interfacial shearing stress needs to be reduced to prevent delamination, and a modest increase in the manufacturing cost is permissible.