Adhesive compositions including partially cross-linked resins and thermoset resins and methods for use thereof

1. An optical connector for terminating an optical fiber, the optical connector comprising a ferrule, an optical fiber, and an adhesive composition, wherein:

the ferrule comprises a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface;

the adhesive composition is disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule and the optical fiber;

the adhesive composition comprises a partially cross-linked resin and a thermoset resin, wherein the partially cross-linked resin comprises poly(phenylene sulfide); and

the adhesive composition comprises between about 1 to about 85 parts by weight of the thermoset resin per 100 parts by weight of the partially cross-linked resin.

2. The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein at least about 5% by weight of the partially cross-linked resin is cross-linked and at least about 5% by weight of the partially cross-linked resin is not cross-linked.

3. The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the partially cross-linked resin has a melting point of at least about 290° C.

4. The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the thermoset resin is an epoxy resin.

5. The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition further comprises between about 0.2 to about 50 parts by weight of a curing agent per 100 parts by weight of the thermoset resin, wherein the curing agent comprises at least one of an anhydride curative, an amine curative, an aromatic amine curative, or combinations thereof.

6. The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition further comprises between about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of a coupling agent per 100 parts by weight of the partially cross-linked resin.

7. The optical connector of claim 6 , wherein the adhesive composition further comprises between about 0.2 to about 100 parts by weight of a curing agent per 100 parts by weight of the sum of the thermoset resin and coupling agent, wherein the curing agent comprises at least one of an anhydride curative, an amine curative, an aromatic amine curative, or combinations thereof.

8. The optical connector of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive composition further comprises between about 0.5 to about 85 parts by weight of a filler material per 100 parts by weight of the partially cross-linked resin.

9. The optical connector of claim 8 , wherein the filler material comprises a mineral composition.

10. The optical connector of claim 9 , wherein the mineral composition comprises at least one pyrophosphate of a metal.

11. The optical connector of claim 10 , wherein the metal is cobalt or magnesium.

12. The optical connector of claim 8 , wherein the filler material comprises a material with a negative coefficient of thermal expansion at or near a melting point of the partially cross-linked resin.

13. A ferrule adhesion system for use in an optical connector for terminating an optical fiber, the ferrule adhesion system comprising a ferrule and an adhesive composition, wherein: the ferrule comprises a fiber receiving passage defining an inner surface; the adhesive composition is disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule; the adhesive composition comprises a partially cross-linkable resin and a thermoset resin, wherein the partially cross-linkable resin only partially cross-link when heated to about 350° C om the [ presence of air; and the adhesive composition comprises between about 1 to about 85 parts by weight of the thermoset resin per 9 parts by weight of the partially cross-linked resin, wherein the partially cross-linked resin comprises poly(phenylene sulfide).

14. The ferrule adhesion system of claim 13 , wherein the adhesive composition is a solid powder packed into the ferrule.

15. The ferrule adhesion system of claim 13 , wherein the adhesion composition further comprises a coupling agent, wherein the coupling agent is pre-reacted with the partially cross-linkable resin by contacting a mixture of the coupling agent and an organic solvent with the partially cross-linkable resin.

16. A method for securing a optical fiber to a ferrule of an optical connector, the method comprising the steps of:

supplying a ferrule adhesion system, the ferrule adhesion system comprising the ferrule and an adhesive composition;

heating the adhesive composition to a temperature sufficient to melt the adhesive composition;

inserting the optical fiber into a fiber-receiving passage defining an inner surface of the ferrule and into contact with the adhesive composition; and

cooling the adhesive composition;

wherein:

the adhesive composition is disposed within the ferrule and in contact with the inner surface of the ferrule;

the adhesive composition comprises a partially cross-linkable resin and a thermoset resin prior to the heating step;

some of the cross-linkable resin is cross-linked and at least about 5% by weight of the partially cross-linkable resin is not cross-linked following the heating step; and

the adhesive composition comprises between about 1 to about 85 parts by weight of the thermoset resin per 100 parts by weight of the partially cross-linkable resin.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising heating the partially cross-linkable resin in the presence of air at a temperature of at least about 300° C. to cross-link at least some polymer chains of the partially cross-linkable resin.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the adhesive composition is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the adhesive composition in less than about 15 seconds and is cooled in less than about 2 minutes.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the adhesive composition further comprises between about 0.5 to about 85 parts by weight of a filler material per 100 parts by weight of the partially cross-linkable resin.