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Please contact the
factory if you need additional information.
Polymicro Technologies
18019 N. 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85023-1200
602-375-4100
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Aluminum Removal From Silica Fibers or
TubesRemoval of the aluminum
buffer on optical fibers and the aluminum coating on capillary tubes
is best done using the chemical stripping technique discussed below.
Any mechanical stripping method will damage the glass surface, making
the filament brittle. Thermal and laser techniques do not work well
either. The chemical technique is the best method we have found to
remove the aluminum coating from a glass filament.
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Chemical Stripping Technique |
A. Supplies & Equipment
- PVC Container
- Ventilating Hood
- Ferric Acid (FeCl3)
B. Stripping Procedure
- Pour Ferric Acid into PVC container.
- Soak desired length of aluminum
buffered fiber/tubing to be stripped into the Ferric Acid Container.
The aluminum removal rate is about 12 to 13 micron per minute in
room temperature. Users should find etching rate using their own
experiments prior to etch. Glass should not be damaged if
over-exposed in Ferric Acid.
NOTE: Fumes will be generated from FeCl3/aluminum while etching.
- Dispose safely the wasted FeCl3
according to instructions from Ferric Acid manufacturer.
NOTE: Normal safety precautions
should be used with the above procedure. Follow the disposal
instructions on the ferric chloride bottle. |
