Fiber Optic Connector Cross Sectioning and
Analysis Service
Fiber Optic Center offers a unique
cross-sectioning service to identify and isolate problems
related to fiber optic terminations that would otherwise be
invisible. This process starts by performing a
metallographic analysis of a fiber optic connector requiring
several hours of vacuum desiccation followed by vacuum mounting
of the samples with a slow cure, low expansion mounting epoxy.
These encapsulated samples are then manually polished,
maintaining precise flatness, depth and co planarity with the
ceramic hole to result in the best possible vantage point for
final inspection. Fiber Optic Center will then provide a
failure mode interpretation and suggest cause or source of the
failure. Photographic documentation with various
magnifications, illumination techniques and microscopes will be
included to illustrate this analysis.
Ordering information
1-3 $600.00 Per
Sample 5 Business Days
4-10 $550.00 Per Sample
5 Business Days
11-20 $480.00 Per Sample 7
Business Days
Sample illustrations and analyses
of cross-sections performed by Fiber Optic Center.
Observations: This particular connector
had multiple fractures inside ceramic ferrule (photo 3A-7) and
a substantial length of fiber missing. See photos 3A-6 and
3A-7. From the location of the missing fiber, it appears that
the section of fiber came out during assembly prior to thermal
curing. This particular fiber received substantial shock during
the assembly process (during the fiber insertion). I have
seen this before with tight fitting ferrules where fiber was
fractured and broken off inside ceramic ferrule while trying to
push the fiber thru the hole. Not knowing exactly what hole
size this is it appears that the cause of the failure is
related to how the fiber was inserted into the ferrule.
Connector labeled: 5B
5B-5
5B-4
5B-6
Observations: This connector has (1)
distinctive fiber fracture at the beginning of the ceramic
internal chamfer (photo 5B-5). I did notice more than usual
"epoxy shrinkage" against the walls internally. This
shrinkage during the thermal curing contributed to the fiber
fracture where a nick fatigued the fiber and the stresses of
thermal curing and shrinkage actually separated the fiber at
this location. The remaining fiber trapped inside the shaft of
the ferrule acted as an anchor point. This is the most common
problem created by the nicking of the fiber from the improper
use of mechanical strippers or misaligned blades.
Connector labeled: 8A
8A-1
8A-3
8A-4
Observations: There is a substantial
gap between the end of the stripped buffer area to the point of
breakage (just inside the internal chamfer of the ceramic
ferrule). Also evident is the shrinkage of epoxy which is
quite apparent against the chamfer. It appears that the epoxy
inside the ferrule cured first and acted as an anchor point
during the thermal curing process. As the thicker regions
of epoxy were curing either accidental backward movement of the
fiber pulled and fractured the fiber, creating the visible gap,
or the rapid shrinkage of the epoxy pulled everything and
"separated" from the anchored fiber inside the
ferrule.
For more information about this
valuable service call Technical support @ 1-800-is fiber
