Primary polymer coating and its influence on the strength of Gradan fiber-optic waveguides

An investigation was made of the mechanical strength of grading-index quartz fibers and of the influence of the nature of a protective polymer coating on this strength. A technology was developed for preparing fibers with an average breaking strength of 100 kg/mm${}^2$. It was found that fracture nuclei were located in the interior of high-strength fibers.