IEC 60793-1-31:2010

Overview

IEC 60793-1-31:2010 - "Optical fibres - Part 1-31: Measurement methods and test procedures - Tensile strength" specifies a uniform method to measure the tensile strength of individual, uncabled optical fibre sections. This international standard defines apparatus, sample preparation, controlled loading (stress or strain) to failure, environmental conditioning, and statistical reporting of results (e.g., Weibull analysis). The 2010 edition expands practical guidance - notably examples of fibre clamping and gripping techniques included in Annexes A, B and C.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and applicability

  • Tests individual glass optical fibres (types A1, A2, A3, B and C).
  • Applicable to fibres with median fracture stress > 3.1 GPa (450 kpsi) for 0.5 m gauge lengths at 25%/min strain rate.
  • Destructive test; not a substitute for proof testing.

• Apparatus and setup

  • Requirements for gripping, sample support, stretching mechanisms, force measurement and environmental control.
  • Typical gripping methods include capstan wraps and elastomeric sheaths (see Annex A/B for examples).
  • Guidance to minimize grip-induced failures and to detect slippage.

• Sample preparation & testing procedure

  • Definitions for sample size, gauge length (short lengths up to 1 m; long lengths 10–20 m), nominal strain/stress rates and conditioning (temperature and humidity).
  • Typical sample counts: 15–30 specimens.
  • Procedures for single-specimen testing and completing a set at a given strain rate.

• Data analysis

  • Conversion of load to failure stress and preparation of Weibull plots to compute Weibull parameters.
  • Emphasis on the influence of gauge length, stress/strain rate and environment on the failure-stress distribution.

• Safety

  • Warning: breakage produces glass fragments - use protective screens and safety glasses.

Practical applications

• Quality control and incoming inspection for fibre manufacturers and component suppliers.
• Reliability characterization for R&D and materials development (coatings, diameter variants, environmental aging).
• Statistical strength distribution generation for lifetime and reliability projections (in conjunction with IEC TR 62048).
• Failure analysis and benchmarking of production lots or process changes.

Who should use this standard

• Optical fibre manufacturers and process engineers
• Independent test laboratories and certification bodies
• R&D teams working on fibre coatings, aging, and fracture mechanics
• Quality assurance and reliability engineers in telecom, data center and sensing industries

Related standards

• IEC 60793-1-20 - Fibre geometry measurement methods
• IEC 60793-1-21 - Coating geometry measurement methods
• IEC TR 62048 - Guidance on reliability projections using failure-stress distributions

Keywords: IEC 60793-1-31, tensile strength, optical fibres, measurement methods, test procedures, Weibull, gauge length, strain rate, capstan, environmental control.