Buffer tubes with improved flexibility
The present invention provides a communication cable buffer tube having a flexural modulus ranging from about 180 kpsi to about 280 kpsi.
1 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . A buffer tube for a communication cable, comprising a polymer mixture comprising PBT and EMA, EBA, EMAAA, or a combination thereof.
15 . The tube of claim 14 , wherein said EMA comprises from about 20 to about 30 volume percent methyl acrylate, and wherein said EBA comprises from about 20 to about 30 volume percent butyl acrylate.
16 . The tube of claim 14 , wherein the polymer mixture has a flexural modulus ranging from about 180 to about 380 kpsi.
17 . The tube of claim 16 , wherein the flexural modulus ranges from about 180 to about 280 kpsi.
18 . The tube of claim 14 , wherein the polymer mixture comprises about 50 to about 95 volume percent PBT and about 5 to about 50 volume percent EMA, EBA, EMAAA, or a combination thereof.
19 . The tube of claim 18 , wherein the polymer mixture comprises about 75 to about 95 volume percent PBT and about 5 to about 25 volume percent EMA, EBA, EMAAA, or combination thereof.
20 - 25 . (canceled)
26 . A communications cable, the cable containing a buffer tube comprising a polymer mixture of PBT and EMA, EBA, EMAAA, or a combination thereof.
27 . The cable of claim 26 , wherein said polymer mixture comprises about 50 to about 95 volume percent PBT and about 5 to about 50 volume percent EMA, EBA, EMAAA, or combination thereof.
28 . A communications system containing a cable, the cable containing a buffer tube comprising a polymer mixture of PBT and EMA, EBA, EMAAA, or a combination thereof.
29 . The system of claim 28 , wherein the polymer mixture has a flexural modulus ranging from about 180 to about 380 kpsi.
30 . The system of claim 28 , wherein the polymer mixture has a flexural modulus ranging from about 180 to about 280 kpsi.
31 . The system of claim 28 , wherein the polymer mixture comprises about 50 to about 95 volume percent PBT and about 5 to about 50 volume percent EMA, EBA, EMAAA, or combination thereof.
32 - 40 . (canceled)
41 . A communications cable comprising:
a jacket extending along the communications cable and defining an internal volume;
a tube, comprising a base polymer blended with an additive polymer, disposed within the internal volume; and
an optical fiber disposed within the tube, wherein the base polymer comprises polybutylene terephthalate.
42 . The communications cable of claim 41 , wherein the additive polymer comprises ethylene methyl acrylate.
43 . The communications cable of claim 41 , wherein the additive polymer comprises ethylene butyl acrylate.
44 . The communications cable of claim 41 , wherein the additive polymer comprises ethylene methyl acrylate acrylic acid.
45 . The communications cable of claim 41 , wherein the additive polymer comprises ethylene methyl acrylate and ethylene butyl acrylate.
46 . The communications cable of claim 41 , wherein the additive polymer comprises ethylene methyl acrylate and ethylene methyl acrylate acrylic acid.
47 . The communications cable of claim 41 , wherein the additive polymer comprises ethylene butyl acrylate and ethylene methyl acrylate acrylic acid.
48 . The communications cable of claim 41 , wherein the additive polymer comprises ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene butyl acrylate, and ethylene methyl acrylate acrylic acid.