	US 7,566,474 B2
	Low shrink telecommunications cable and methods for manufacturing the same
Wayne M. Kachmar, North Bennington, Vt. (US)
Assigned to ADC Telecommunications, Inc., Eden Prairie, Minn. (US)
Filed on May 05, 2008, as Appl. No. 12/115,374.
Application 12/115374 is a continuation of application No. 11/039122, filed on Jan. 18, 2005, granted, now 7,379,642.
Prior Publication US 2008/0292254 A1, Nov. 27, 2008
Int. Cl. G02B 6/02 (2006.01); G02B 6/44 (2006.01); G02B 6/00 (2006.01); D02G 3/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 427—163.2 [427/162; 427/164; 385/102; 385/100; 385/103; 385/141; 385/144; 264/1.24; 264/1.29; 428/375; 428/357; 428/383]

11 Claims

1. A method for making a layer that surrounds an optical fiber, the method comprising:

providing a base material suitable for use in a layer that surrounds an optical fiber;

adding liquid crystal polymer material to the base material to form a mixture that is adapted to reduce post-extrusion shrinkage, wherein the liquid crystal polymer material is added in an amount that is less than 2% of the total weight of the mixture;

heating the mixture to a first temperature;

extruding the mixture through an annular passage; and

cooling the mixture to form the layer having a desired annular shape, wherein the layer shrinks less than 3% in length when exposed to 110 degrees Celsius for two hours in accordance with standard Telcordia test procedures set forth at Generic Reference 409.