Overview of Lapping Film

Choosing the right lapping film is one of the most important decisions in fiber optic cable assembly. Lapping films are precision polishing materials made with micron-graded abrasive minerals coated on a polyester film backing. In the fiber termination process, lapping film is used to remove cured epoxy, shape the ferrule geometry, and polish the fiber endface to meet optical performance specifications.

Different abrasive types and grit sizes are used throughout the fiber optic polishing process. Silicon carbide lapping film is typically used for aggressive epoxy removal, while diamond lapping film helps form and control ferrule geometry. Final polishing films remove scratches and produce a high-quality finish while maintaining proper fiber height. Larger micron abrasives (30 µm) remove material more aggressively, while smaller micron films (0.05 µm) produce a finer surface finish during the final stages of polishing.

Below is an overview of the fiber optic lapping films available from Fiber Optic Center. If you have questions about setting up or improving your polishing process, our technical team can help evaluate your process and recommend the right polishing film for your application.


Type	Silicon Carbide	Aluminum Oxide	Diamond	Final Polish	Flock Pile

Features	More aggressive material effective for rough grinding Often recommended over aluminum oxide for effective epoxy and glass removal Not commonly used in later steps of polishing Used for single-fiber ceramic ferrules and MT ferrules	Used for epoxy resin removal and end face polishing for single-mode and multimode fibers. Recommended in multimode fiber applications, glass fiber polishing, and SMA connector polishing Certain aluminum oxide films can also be used for final polishing 0.5 µm and 0.3 µm films can achieve return losses of -50 dB or better	Cuts and polishes hard ceramic ferrules and softer optical fibers at nearly the same rate Used to form or recover the Radius of Curvature (ROC) and Apex Offset Helps achieve ferrule geometry compliant with Telecordia GR 326 Recommended for both machine and hand polishing of single-mode and multimode ceramic connectors Helps prepare the ferrule for final polishing	Achieves return loss of up to -55dB Removes the fine scratches left from the preceding polishing steps Helps achieve precise fiber height and endface geometry Uses silicon dioxide particles for clean final polish	Polishes irregular glass fibers to a mirror finish Etches away thermoset or thermoplastic material from MT ferrules Features 0.3-0.5 mm flexible nylon fibers coated with aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, silicon carbide or silicon dioxide Helps control fiber protrusion and achieve precise coplanarity across all fibers
Specifications	Material: Polyester Disc size range: 2” - 12” diameter Sheet size range: 3” x 6” – 9” x 11” Grit size range: 0.5 – 40 µm PSA & Non-PSA available Center Hole films available	Material: Polyester Disc size range: 2" - 12" diameter Sheet size range: 3" x 6" - 9" x 11" Grit size range: 0.05 - 60 µm PSA & Non-PSA available Center hole films available	Material: Polyester Disc size range: 2" - 8" diameter Sheet size range: 3" x 4" - 9" x 11" Grit size range: 0.1 - 30 µm PSA & Non-PSA available Center hole films available	Material: Polyester Disc size range: 2" - 8" diameter Sheet size: 6” x 6” Grit size range: 0.02 – 2 µm PSA & Non-PSA available	Material: Polyester Disc size range: 4”- 8” diameter Sheet size: 6” x 6” Grit size range: 0.5 – 3 µm PSA & Non-PSA available
Films Available	ÅngströmLap® 3M™	ÅngströmLap® 3M™	ÅngströmLap® Sequoia 3M™	ÅngströmLap® Ultimas™-P ÅngströmLap® Ultimas™-F ÅngströmLap® Ultimas™-U 3M™ Seikoh Giken	ÅngströmLap® ÅngströmBrush® Ultimas™-F 3M™
Particle Types	Silicon Carbide	Aluminum Oxide Calcined Alumina	Diamond	Silicon dioxide	Aluminum Oxide Cerium Oxide Silicon Carbide Silicon Dioxide
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