Removal of high-speed optical cables

High-speed optical cable coatings and jackets can be removed using mechanical, thermal, chemical, or automated fiber strippers, depending on fiber type, coating material, and application requirements.

Mechanical Stripping

Mechanical fiber strippers are handheld tools with precision blades designed to remove polymer coatings such as acrylate, silicone, or polyimide without nicking the glass core. They are ideal for standard telecommunication fibers (125 µm cladding, 250 µm coating) and can also handle tight-buffered fibers (900 µm) and larger cable jackets. Some tools, like the trueCABLE 3-in-One stripper, feature multi-hole designs to sequentially remove jackets, buffers, and coatings with high accuracy and minimal fiber breakage .

Thermal Stripping

Thermal or thermo-mechanical strippers soften the coating with heat before removal, reducing the risk of scratches or nicks. Adjustable temperature and dwell time settings allow precise stripping of difficult or baked-on coatings, including fluoroacrylate and polyimide. Thermal strippers are suitable for single fibers, fiber ribbons, and high-strength splices, and can handle coatings up to 1200 µm in diameter .

Non-Contact and Automated Solutions

For high-volume or delicate applications, plasma-assisted or laser-based non-contact strippers remove coatings without touching the fiber, preserving tensile strength and preventing damage. Automated systems can perform end stripping and mid-span window stripping efficiently, making them ideal for laboratories, production lines, or specialty fibers like polyimide or carbon-coated fibers .

Chemical Stripping

Chemical stripping uses solvents or acids to dissolve coatings, typically for specialty fibers or research applications. Common reagents include sulfuric acid for polyimide and NMP or methylene chloride for acrylate or silicone coatings. This method requires trained personnel, protective equipment, and strict safety protocols, and is less common in routine telecom work .

Tool Selection Considerations

• Fiber type and coating: Choose tools compatible with acrylate, polyimide, silicone, or specialty coatings.
• Cable diameter: Ensure the stripper accommodates the jacket and buffer sizes (e.g., 250 µm to 1200 µm).
• Application environment: Handheld tools for field use, automated or plasma systems for production or lab settings.
• Safety and efficiency: Non-contact and thermal methods reduce fiber damage, while chemical methods require strict safety measures. By selecting the appropriate mechanical, thermal, non-contact, or chemical stripping solution, technicians can efficiently and safely remove coatings from high-speed optical cables, ensuring optimal splicing, connectorization, and signal performance .