SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1984
STP35241S

Effect of Temperature and Humidity on Delayed Failure of Optical Glass Fibers

Source

Existing and newly obtained optical glass fiber fatigue data over a wide temperature and humidity range were analyzed using the stress corrosion model of crack growth. Values obtained for the order of the reaction (humidity exponent), activation energy, and stress constant were compared with those obtained directly from crack growth studies. It was found that the data from different sources did not correlate well with each other and that none of the sets of data agreed with the stress corrosion model. It is believed that the polymer coatings on the fibers may play a complex role in determining the availability of moisture at the glass surface or that different fatigue mechanisms operate at different stress levels. Considering the uncertainty and ambiguity associated with modeling optical glass fiber fatigue data, an empirical approach to lifetime predictions is recommended in which a function that “best fits” the data obtained under service temperatures and humidities is used for prediction. It must be pointed out, however, that extrapolating outside the data range may result in inaccuracies in the predictions.

Author Information

Ritter, JE
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass.
Jakus, K
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass.
Babinski, RC
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E08
Pages: 131–141
DOI: 10.1520/STP35241S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4910-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0265-1