QUESTION: What is the proper curing temperature profile? ANSWER: In most cases, cable assembly manufacturers are curing by placing their room-temperature product into pre-heated curing ovens—quite a thermal shock. Based on our observations, it seems...
QUESTION: Is fabricating fiber optic cable assemblies a manual or automated process? ANSWER: Fabricating fiber optic cable assemblies is still in large part a manual process, requiring knowledge and skill. When something in the process goes awry,...
QUESTION: Which epoxy is the best for my application? ANSWER: Fiber Optic Center offers several epoxies for single mode and multimode products. Refer to the “Chart of Epoxies for Single Fiber, Single Mode and Multimode Terminations” to review epoxy...
QUESTION: Should we check for crystallization? Do we need to adjust our inspection process? ANSWER: Yes, here at Fiber Optic Center, we strongly encourage all our customers to actively look for crystallization in epoxy, since it’s a common occurrence. To avoid...
QUESTION: Why aren’t packages of less than 2.5 or 2 grams available? ANSWER: Some epoxy manufacturers offer 2.5-gram packages as their smallest quantity; one manufacturer offers a 2-gram package. When packaging the material, the manufacturers are mandated to...
QUESTION: How can I select the right epoxy for a new application? ANSWER: I’m happy to help you determine the epoxy that will work best for your application. Just send an email to me at KBarker@focenter.com and include answers to these questions: Can you tell me...
QUESTION: Do you have epoxy information in the form of a matrix? ANSWER: FOC does have a Single Fiber, Single Mode and Multimode terminations matrix that can be found in the BLOG ARTICLE: Does epoxy cause core cracking? Tips to identify and prevent this...
QUESTION: Why do we need to consider the Tg when selecting an epoxy? ANSWER: One reason to consider the Tg is in selecting an epoxy that is appropriate for an application. For an application requiring a flexible epoxy, a low Tg, something below 0°C is...
QUESTION: Our epoxy is past expiration – can it still be used? ANSWER: Fiber Optic Center recommends that you test the material before using it in your production process. Cure it to see if it sets as expected. However, it’s difficult to determine if it has,...
QUESTION: How precise are the epoxy packaging weights? ANSWER: The fiber optic world is driven by precision. If you purchase a 4-gram package, you can rely on getting 4 grams of epoxy. This is a data point to consider as you determine which package size best...
QUESTION: Does Fiber Optic Center accept returns of crystallized epoxies? ANSWER: It’s important to remember that there’s nothing wrong with the material. Since crystallized epoxy is not defective, we do not accept returns. Of course, if you encounter a different...
QUESTION: Our epoxy is curing differently and has a different color. Can I use it? ANSWER: Color variation from batch to batch is a non-issue. Since epoxies are manufactured in batches, the raw materials used by manufacturers to synthesize the epoxy are subject...
QUESTION: Would premixed, frozen epoxy work better for my process? ANSWER: Our customers who use premixed, frozen epoxy report two major benefits: (1) No need to worry about improper mixing due to operator error. Epoxy that is overmixed, undermixed, or has...
QUESTION: We have issues with crystallized epoxy: has the epoxy had “gone bad”? ANSWER: This question has come up so often, I have written article to educate our customers about crystallization in epoxies including information on: How this happens. Why the...
QUESTION: I found crystals in our epoxy. Does this mean it has gone bad? ANSWER: Crystallization in epoxies can look like salt granules in the otherwise clear liquid. Or the epoxy may look foggy, milky, or grainy. Or it may have solidified. Rest assured,...
