UV Curable Optical Fiber Coatings

UV Cure Optical Adhesives (Dymax)

Properly coating optical fiber is critical to protecting the delicate glass surface and maintaining the long-term performance of the fiber. Without proper protection, microscopic flaws can develop into failures over time, and issues like microbending can lead to increased attenuation.

UV-curable coatings address these challenges by enabling fast, consistent application during fiber production while helping preserve fiber strength and optical performance. From primary and secondary coatings to matrix and recoating materials, these solutions are designed to protect the fiber, reduce fiber microbend, and support reliable fiber optic performance in demanding environments.

DeSolite®, Cablelite®, and Bufferlite® fiber coating materials have been proven in the field for over 30 years, providing reliable protection against environmental stresses.

Use the table below to compare key properties such as viscosity, refractive index, and glass transition temperature performance to find the right UV-curable coating for your application. For consultation in choosing the right fiber coating, contact Kelly Barker, Epoxy Technical Expert.

Search Search in Product Viscosity Refractive Index Glass Transistion Temperature Comment
Product	Viscosity (mPa•s)	Refractive Index (cured)	Glass Transition Temperature, Tg (cured)	Comment 75 µm films cured in nitrogen at 1.0 J·cm-2 using one D lamp. Temp range is -20°C-130°C continuously and -40°C-200°C brief periods. Exception noted on DF0009.
Matrix Materials 950-706 (Cablelite)	4,850	-	35°C at E’ 1000 MPa 59°C at E’ 100 MPa	Standard Matrix coating, extremely fast curing, low temp performance, for optical fiber ribboning.
Matrix Materials DU-2008 (Bufferlite)	1,200	-	-	Tight Buffer Matrix coating, medium modulus, tight buffering fiber for 400-900 microns.
Primary Coatings DP-1021 (DeSolite)	6,000	1.487	-57°C at E’ 1000 MPa -45°C at E’ 100 MPa	Primary coating, for single- and multi-mode applications and hollow core fibers, low temperature performance, low micro-bending attenuation, wet-on-dry.
Primary Coatings DP-1032 (DeSolite Supercoatings)	4,465	1.496	-42°C at E’ 1000 MPa -32°C at E’ 100 MPa	Primary coating, Next Generation, soft, enables high draw speeds, superior microbending performance/low microbending, robust field application, wet-on-wet and wet-on dry (not available in China).
Primary Coatings DP-1900 (DeSolite)	7,000	1.482	-48°C, Tan δ Max	Primary coating, UV-LED curable, for low-loss applications, fast processing, low fiber optic attenuation, excellent low temp micro-bending performance, wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry, robust field performance harsh environment (not available in China).
Recoating/Fiber Splicing Coating 950-200 (DeSolite)	2,500	1.55	26°C, - Peak Tan δ	Recoating & Fiber Splicing coating, high refractive index, original acrylate coating, low viscosity for splicing applications, will not stick to recoater molds.
Recoating/Fiber Splicing Coating DF-0016 (DeSolite)	4,200	1.37	-	Recoating, low refractive index, high clarity/low haze, softer than 950-200, low modulus, protect with secondary coating.
Secondary Coatings DS-2042 (DeSolite Supercoatings)	6,002	1.534	10.6°C at E’ 1000 MPa 86.1°C at E’ 100 MPa	Secondary coating, Next Generation, industry standard (use with DP-1032), wet-on wet and wet-on-dry, enables high draw speeds, superior microbending performance/low microbending, robust field application.
Secondary Coatings DS-2900 (DeSolite)	5,800	1.513	96°C, Tan δ max 60°C of E’1000 MPa 108°C of E’100 MPa	Secondary coating, UV-LED curable, for high-end telecom including G.654.E applications, works well with DP-1900, fast processing, low fiber optic attenuation, excellent low temp micro-bending performance, wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry, robust field performance harsh environment (not available in China).
Secondary Coatings 3471-2-136 (DeSolite)	4,750	1.519 (liquid)	29°C at E’ 1000 MPa 51°C at E’ 100 MPa	Secondary coating, traditional industry standard, compatible with multiple DeSolite primaries, wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry.
Single Layer Coatings 3471-3-14 (DeSolite)	10,0000	1.54	-18°C at E’ 1000 MPa 29°C at E’ 100 MPa	Single layer fiber coating, high modulus, low moisture sensitivity, high adhesion.
Single Layer Coatings DF-0009 (DeSolite)	6,700	1.54	2°C at E’ 1000 MPa 48°C at E’ 100 MPa	Single layer fiber coating, original acrylate coating, for high temp applications, Temp range -20°C-150°C/ up to 200°C brief periods.

NOTE: Most Covestro coatings are formulated for use with microwave lamps. Typically, a “D” and/or “H” bulb is used so the peak irradiance is at 365nm, but the overall wavelengths are from microwaves lamps, so they are broad. The intensity at the focal point is not something that can be easily measured. The cure will partially be determined by the time as well as the intensity.