MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FLUORIDE OPTICAL FIBERS

Mechanical dynamic tests were performed on fluoride glass fibers and silica optical fibers to examine the mechanical strength. These fibers were tested on ambient atmosphere and after aging in a vacuum desiccator with silica gel used as the desiccant.

A higher value of the ratio of Young’s modulus to hardness indicates a greater tendency to plastic behavior in the case of fluoride fibers. For tensile tests, the strength of silica fiber is nine times greater than that of fluoride fiber and eight times greater in the case of bending tests. Aging in a desiccator decreases the residual water content and improves the fluoride fiber strength.