A method of preparing a flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin is provided. The method includes a step of reacting in an extrusion barrel a reactive polyolefin and a monomeric flame retardant agent to form the flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin. The reactive polyolefin has a functional group including a moiety selected from the group consisting of anhydrides, epoxies, carboxylic acids, ketones, and isocyanates. The monomeric flame retardant agent has an amine functional group. The method also includes a step of extruding the flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin. Also provided is a flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin that can be made according to the method. Further provided is a flame retardant cable that incorporates can incorporate the flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin.

A method of preparing a flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin is provided. The method includes a step of reacting in an extrusion barrel a reactive polyolefin and a monomeric flame retardant agent to form the flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin. The reactive polyolefin has a functional group including a moiety selected from the group consisting of anhydrides, epoxies, carboxylic acids, ketones, and isocyanates. The monomeric flame retardant agent has an amine functional group. The method also includes a step of extruding the flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin. Also provided is a flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin that can be made according to the method. Further provided is a flame retardant cable that incorporates can incorporate the flame retardant grafted polyolefin resin.

A method of applying a coating liquid to an optical fiber is described. An optical fiber is drawn through a guide die into a pressurized coating chamber and through the pressurized coating chamber to a sizing die. The pressurized coating chamber contains a coating liquid. The method includes directing coating liquid in a direction transverse to the processing pathway of the optical fiber in the pressurized coating chamber. The transverse flow of coating liquid counteracts detrimental effects associated with gyres that form in the pressurized coating chamber during the draw process. Benefits of the transverse flow include removal of bubbles, reduction in the temperature of the gyre, improved wetting, homogenization of the properties of the coating liquid in the pressurized coating chamber, and stabilization of the meniscus.

A method of applying a coating liquid to an optical fiber is described. An optical fiber is drawn through a guide die into a pressurized coating chamber and through the pressurized coating chamber to a sizing die. The pressurized coating chamber contains a coating liquid. The method includes directing coating liquid in a direction transverse to the processing pathway of the optical fiber in the pressurized coating chamber. The transverse flow of coating liquid counteracts detrimental effects associated with gyres that form in the pressurized coating chamber during the draw process. Benefits of the transverse flow include removal of bubbles, reduction in the temperature of the gyre, improved wetting, homogenization of the properties of the coating liquid in the pressurized coating chamber, and stabilization of the meniscus.

An optical fiber coating apparatus that provides increased gyre stability and reduced gyre strength, thereby providing a more reliable coating application process during fiber drawing includes a cone-only coating die having a conical entrance portion with a tapered wall angled at a half angle , wherein 225, and a cone height L.sub.1 less than 2.2 mm, and a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter of d.sub.2, wherein 0.1 mmd.sub.20.5 mm and a cylindrical height of L.sub.2, wherein 0.05 mmL.sub.21.25 mm; a guide die having an optical fiber exit, the guide die disposed adjacent the cone-only coating die such that a wetted length (L.sub.5) between the optical fiber exit of the guide die and the entrance of the cone-only coating die is from 1 mm to 5 mm; and a holder for holding the cone-only coating die and the guide die in a fixed relationship defining a coating chamber between the guide die and the cone-only coating die, the coating chamber having an inner radius L.sub.6 from the optical fiber axis to an inner wall of the holder that is from 3 mm to 10 mm.

An optical fiber coating apparatus that provides increased gyre stability and reduced gyre strength, thereby providing a more reliable coating application process during fiber drawing includes a cone-only coating die having a conical entrance portion with a tapered wall angled at a half angle , wherein 225, and a cone height L.sub.1 less than 2.2 mm, and a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter of d.sub.2, wherein 0.1 mmd.sub.20.5 mm and a cylindrical height of L.sub.2, wherein 0.05 mmL.sub.21.25 mm; a guide die having an optical fiber exit, the guide die disposed adjacent the cone-only coating die such that a wetted length (L.sub.5) between the optical fiber exit of the guide die and the entrance of the cone-only coating die is from 1 mm to 5 mm; and a holder for holding the cone-only coating die and the guide die in a fixed relationship defining a coating chamber between the guide die and the cone-only coating die, the coating chamber having an inner radius L.sub.6 from the optical fiber axis to an inner wall of the holder that is from 3 mm to 10 mm.

An optical fiber coating apparatus that provides increased gyre stability and reduced gyre strength, thereby providing a more reliable coating application process during fiber drawing includes a cone-only coating die having a conical entrance portion with a tapered wall angled at a half angle , wherein 225, and a cone height L.sub.1 less than 2.2 mm, and a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter of d.sub.2, wherein 0.1 mmd.sub.20.5 mm and a cylindrical height of L.sub.2, wherein 0.05 mmL.sub.21.25 mm; a guide die having an optical fiber exit, the guide die disposed adjacent the cone-only coating die such that a wetted length (L.sub.5) between the optical fiber exit of the guide die and the entrance of the cone-only coating die is from 1 mm to 5 mm; and a holder for holding the cone-only coating die and the guide die in a fixed relationship defining a coating chamber between the guide die and the cone-only coating die, the coating chamber having an inner radius L.sub.6 from the optical fiber axis to an inner wall of the holder that is from 3 mm to 10 mm.

An optical fiber coating apparatus that provides increased gyre stability and reduced gyre strength, thereby providing a more reliable coating application process during fiber drawing includes a cone-only coating die having a conical entrance portion with a tapered wall angled at a half angle , wherein 225, and a cone height L.sub.1 less than 2.2 mm, and a cylindrical portion having an inner diameter of d.sub.2, wherein 0.1 mmd.sub.20.5 mm and a cylindrical height of L.sub.2, wherein 0.05 mmL.sub.21.25 mm; a guide die having an optical fiber exit, the guide die disposed adjacent the cone-only coating die such that a wetted length (L.sub.5) between the optical fiber exit of the guide die and the entrance of the cone-only coating die is from 1 mm to 5 mm; and a holder for holding the cone-only coating die and the guide die in a fixed relationship defining a coating chamber between the guide die and the cone-only coating die, the coating chamber having an inner radius L.sub.6 from the optical fiber axis to an inner wall of the holder that is from 3 mm to 10 mm.

A method of applying a coating liquid to an optical fiber is described. An optical fiber is drawn through a guide die into a pressurized coating chamber and through the pressurized coating chamber to a sizing die. The pressurized coating chamber contains a coating liquid. The method includes directing coating liquid in a direction transverse to the processing pathway of the optical fiber in the pressurized coating chamber. The transverse flow of coating liquid counteracts detrimental effects associated with gyres that form in the pressurized coating chamber during the draw process. Benefits of the transverse flow include removal of bubbles, reduction in the temperature of the gyre, improved wetting, homogenization of the properties of the coating liquid in the pressurized coating chamber, and stabilization of the meniscus.

A method of applying a coating liquid to an optical fiber is described. An optical fiber is drawn through a guide die into a pressurized coating chamber and through the pressurized coating chamber to a sizing die. The pressurized coating chamber contains a coating liquid. The method includes directing coating liquid in a direction transverse to the processing pathway of the optical fiber in the pressurized coating chamber. The transverse flow of coating liquid counteracts detrimental effects associated with gyres that form in the pressurized coating chamber during the draw process. Benefits of the transverse flow include removal of bubbles, reduction in the temperature of the gyre, improved wetting, homogenization of the properties of the coating liquid in the pressurized coating chamber, and stabilization of the meniscus.