New resin grade helps fiber optic industry complex one-piece connectors

28-Apr-10

To solve the challenges in creating complex, multi-part connectors, SABIC Innovative Plastics has developed specialized grades of Ultem resin to drive forward the development of highly cost-effective, one-piece molded connector designs. The company has showcased these unique materials, which can be precisely tailored to specific wavelengths and offer attenuation control, extreme high heat resistance and dimensional stability for accurate fiber alignment. This innovative new solution is intended to reduce connector costs by up to 20%, accelerate fiber installation and provide exceptionally long service life. SABIC Innovative Plastics’ continued investment in new fiber-optic-tailored technologies will help customers in this high-tech industry extend their reach across multiple strategic geographies worldwide. Through the use of proprietary technology, the new Ultem resins can be precisely tailored to transmit light over the specific wavelength required by the customer or by industry standards. The transparent resin features custom color to minimize attenuation, and provides exceptional resistance to high temperatures. Excellent dimensional stability helps to ensure that fibers remain aligned within the connector, thus avoiding the need for maintenance or replacement. Ultem resin’s high flow properties enable connectors to be injection molded with high throughput. Because one-piece designs require no additional assembly, system costs are further reduced. A simpler connector also streamlines installation and avoids multiple points of failure that characterize traditional four- or five-piece designs. Connectors molded from Ultem resin can be used with either glass or plastic fiber.