IEC 60793-1-32:2018

Overview

IEC 60793-1-32:2018 specifies a standardized mechanical test method for coating strippability of optical fibres. It quantifies the force required to mechanically remove polymeric protective coatings along the fibre axis. The third edition (2018) expanded applicability to fibres with nominal coating outer diameters down to 200 µm. The procedure is intended for factory and post‑processing evaluation (including exposure to environments) of single fibres with a nominal glass diameter of 125 µm (fibre categories A1, A2, A3, B and C).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and limits

  • Designed for polymeric coated fibres with nominal outer diameters in the range 200 µm to 900 µm. The document notes that application outside roughly 230 µm to 930 µm is not recommended.
  • Applies to laboratory assessment of coating removal force, not to optimize field stripping techniques or to maximize post‑strip fibre strength.

• Apparatus and instrumentation

  • A controlled tensile/relative motion device (e.g., vertical tensile tester) to provide smooth constant velocity motion.
  • Load cell to sense stripping force and a transducer amplifier sampling at >100 Hz; capability to record continuous force versus time and compute peak and average forces.
  • Stripping tool guidelines: circular aperture recommended (example: ~15 µm larger than the cladding - e.g., 140 µm for 125 µm cladding); blades designed to avoid fibre bending and to be replaced per quality schedule.
  • Fibre guide to prevent sagging and buckling during stripping.

• Specimen and test procedure

  • Minimum sampling: 10 specimens representative of the fibre population.
  • Test elements include strip length, stripping rate, preconditioning, calibration of transducer, loading, and coating removal.
  • Reporting and calculations: specimen values can be expressed as average strip force and/or peak strip force; test data should capture oscillation amplitude/frequency.

• Safety

  • Warning that fibres may fracture and pierce skin/eyes; protective eyewear recommended.

Applications and users

• Intended users:
  • Optical fibre manufacturers and over‑coaters (tight‑buffered products).
  • Quality assurance and independent test laboratories validating coating adhesion/strippability.
  • R&D teams developing new polymeric coatings or evaluating environmental ageing effects.
• Practical uses:
  • Specification verification for coating removal force during production acceptance.
  • Comparative evaluation of coating formulations, tool designs, or ageing conditions.
  • Input to procurement and technical datasheets where controlled strippability is required.

Related standards

• IEC 60793‑1 (all parts) - Optical fibres: Measurement methods and test procedures.
• IEC 60793‑1‑1 - Part 1‑1: General and guidance for measurement methods.

Keywords: coating strippability, protective coating of optical fibres, IEC 60793-1-32, stripping force, optical fibre testing, coating adhesion.