H ighly Heat-Resistant Polymeric Coatings of Optical Fibers

The current state of the art in the field of highly heat-resistant optical fiber coatings based on polyimides and polyamides is reviewed. Various methods of coating formation, including those from poly(amic acid) precursors, organosoluble polyimides, and aliphatic and aromatic polyamides, are considered, and their properties and applications are described. It is demonstrated that organosoluble polyimides and polyamides show promise as protective coatings of optical fibers that withstand prolonged exposure to moisture and high temperatures (350°C up to 24 h) without the loss of strength by the optical fibers.