International audienceBesides signal transmission for telecommunications, fibers are used in an increasing number of devices. A number of applications relate to devices exposed to severe wet environment (hot water, chemical attacks...). It is the case for the sensors used in nuclear plants, high energy physics or plasmas devices. However, reliability issues must be addressed for optical fiber sensors operating under severe conditions such as harsh chemical solutions. The purpose of this work is to study the mechanical behavior and aging of fibers exposed to hot water action, to hydrofluoric acid vapours (HF) and to tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) for different durations. Dynamic fatigue tests were implemented using a two-point bending testing device or tensile test set-up. Standard fibers tested immediately after exposure show a broader distribution of fiber strength accompanied by the drastic decrease of the failure stress. In some particular cases, the gain compared to as received fibers can be positive. Polymer reacts with different wet environments, which induces viscosity changes. This is consistent with SEM observations

International audienceFiber-optic sensors are mostly used for in situ measurements of diverse chemical composition of industrial surfactants employed in industry as detergents, emulsifying and dispersing agents, coatings, and pharmaceutical adjuvants. These optical sensors are often used in wet chemical environments in which the temperature can be high. The purpose of this work is to study the mechanical behavior of optical fibers in contact with CetylTrimethylAmmonium Chloride in aqueous solution (CTAC) at different immersion durations and different temperatures. Result analysis demonstrates that immersion in CTAC drastically decreases the fiber strength particularly when immersed for long aging periods at high temperatures. Based on the analysis of aged fiber surface morphology obtained from Scanning Electron Microscopy, the extent of the damage of the fiber core and polymer coatings was observed

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IntroductionBesides signal transmission for telecommunications, fibers are used in an increasing number of devices. A number of applications relate to devices exposed to severe wet environment (hot water, chemical attacks…). It is the case for the sensors used in high energy physics and in industry using detergents and pharmaceutical adjuvants. Optical fiber manufacturers use to study the fiber behaviour submitted to severe wet environment, which encompasses the coating reliability and the evolution of the fiber strength during fiber life. In practice, optical fiber aging depends on various factors that may decrease effective fiber strength: applied stress, temperature, water or chemical solutions. However, reliability issues must also be addressed for optical fiber sensors operating under severe conditions such as harsh chemical solutions. So, the purpose of this work is to study the mechanical behavior and aging of optical coupler fibers exposed to dimethylsulfoxide and to tetramethoxysilane solutions. Dynamic fatigue tests were implemented using a two-point bending testing device or tensile test set-up. Standard fibers tested after exposure show a broader distribution of fiber strength accompanied by the drastic decrease of the failure stress. Polymer reacts with different wet environments, which induces strength changes. This is consistent with SEM observations.