The “Transition Point” Where Buffered Fiber Is Stripped Away to Reveal the Bare Fiber

Published: June 15, 2018

, Last updated: September 17, 2025

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The “transition point” is where the buffered fiber is stripped away to reveal the bare fiber. This is often done mechanically, presenting an opportunity for damage to the bare fiber from the stripping tool. Very minor damage to the glass renders is very weak, greatly increasing the risk of fiber breakage under normal stresses. This is observed in the process of scribing, where the fiber is “nicked” with a sharp scribing tool, which allows the fiber to break very easily under very minor side or tensile loads.

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