Why use Silicon Carbide film besides our unbeatable pricing?

Silicon Carbide is used for denibbing, epoxy removal, and coarse grinding fiber optic end faces.

Tightly-graded silicon carbide particles are uniformly coated onto a polyester film backing. Wide use in a number of applications including Fiber Optics. We have over 60 years of combined experience with film and the polishing process. We work closely with our customers to develop and resolve process control issues. Our support includes application development samples.

Available in discs, sheets, and rolls, with or without pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA).

We offer a polishing film that is cost-effective and works. *We provide FREE evaluation sample Film when available for Polishing Process evaluation and confirmation. 

Polishing Tip: Good polishing procedures that remove the altered layer are critical for Singlemode connectors.

The basic polishing process involves these steps:

1. Epoxy Removal
2. Geometry
3. Final Step: finishing the optical surface

Today there are several types of connectored fibers, the most common of which are 2.5 mm, 1.25 mm, and multifiber. To ensure a proper mating surface, connector end faces must first be air-polished. This will be followed by a sequence of polishing steps that depend on the type of connector, the back reflection, and the insertion loss specifications, as listed below for 2.5-mm connectors:

Multimode. Used in less-demanding applications, this three-step process would involve 5-μm silicon carbide, 1-μm diamond, and a final polish film.

Single-mode ultraphysical contact. Probably the most common polished 2.5-mm connector, this offers a fairly good back reflection of less than –55 dB, without the need to add an angle to the end face. The typical sequence includes a 5-μm silicon carbide pass, polishing with 3-μm aluminum oxide and 1-μm diamond, and a final polishing film.

Single-mode angled physical contact. This offers the best back-reflection performance at less than –65 dB; however, there is an added processing cost because of the addition of the 8° angle to deflect back reflection to that level. This process would involve polishing with 15-μm silicon carbide, passes with 3-μm aluminum oxide and 1-μm diamond, and a final polishing film.

Regardless of the connector type, most polishing sequences begin with aggressive materials, including silicon carbide to remove epoxy and diamond lapping films for beginning and intermediate polishing. These remove both surrounding material and fiber at the same rate. The last polishing step, however, requires a less aggressive material, such as silicon dioxide, to attack only the fiber. Using material for final polishing that is too aggressive could lead to excessive undercut. The wrong final-polish material also could cause excessive protrusion, leading to fiber chipping and cracking during the connector mating process.

The scrap rate will vary, depending on the polishing equipment and the material being polished. For instance, a machine that produces poor end-face geometry will almost always generate an unacceptable loss. In general, yield should exceed 95 percent. If it doesn’t, companies should examine the complete process more closely, not just the polishing. Are components being assembled correctly? Are the connectors made with quality material?

Cleanliness also can affect yield. Thorough cleaning of connectors between processing steps, as well as rapid changing of polishing plates, can help reduce cross-contamination and subsequent back-reflection problems.

Other issues to be examined include the polishing films used, as well as the type of epoxy and lubrication. Films have perhaps the most significant impact because the quality and gradations vary from supplier to supplier.

Understand the requirements (IEC 61300-3-35) driving your Process Controls for repeatability and consistency. In addition, following the manufacturers` recommended procedures is a good way to develop quality polishing techniques.

We offer a polishing film that is cost-effective and works. *We provide FREE evaluation sample Film when available for Polishing Process evaluation and confirmation. 

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