Whether you’re looking for Glass-ceramic, Zirconia, or Zirconia-ceramic ferrules, here’s what you need to know. First of all, let’s discuss the difference between the two materials.
Glass-ceramic
The glass-ceramic ferrule is a very durable material and has been demonstrated to have minimal insertion loss in a 500-cycle mating test. It has been found that glass-ceramic ferrules are equally durable in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.
Another benefit of glass-ceramic ferrules is their ease of installation. Because there is no castable refractory between the two ferrule pieces, they require only minimal refractory around the perimeter. These ferrules also have several advantages over one-piece systems, including increased reliability and better thermal expansion tolerance.
These ferrules are available in various forms. Some are used as optical connectors and attenuators. They are also available in custom and standard designs. They can be made with high precision as well. They can also be used for equipment parts, jigs, and other custom applications.
Glass-ceramic ferrules have a lower expansion coefficient than other ferrule materials. This means that they can be polished without the use of diamond polishing film. In addition, the glass material has excellent polishing properties. Moreover, glass-ceramic ferrules are softer than other ferrule materials.
Particle-containing glasses are commonly used in bulk materials but are relatively new in the fiber optic industry. They are resistant to corrosion, oxidation, and thermal shock. They are also known for their ability to decompose in a single step at high temperatures.
Zirconia
Zirconia ceramic ferrules and sleeves are high-precision components used in optical communication. They exhibit excellent thermal stability and hardness. They also possess high melting points and are highly resistant to wear. They are used to make optical connectors, adapters, and attenuators.
Ferrules are an essential sub-component within a fiber optic connector. They house and align the mating fibers, ensuring optimal transmission of the optical signal. Zirconia ferrules offer the highest performance and durability in fiber optic connectors, ensuring low insertion loss, low back reflection, and superior durability over repeated mating. Ferrules can be found in several styles, including step and cone endface styles.
Ferrules can be made of stainless steel or ceramic zirconia. Typically, ceramic ferrules are made of zirconium dioxide, which has excellent thermal stability, a low elasticity coefficient, and a high melting point. Because of these properties, ceramic ferrules are used in optical connectors to ensure proper transmission.
Zirconia-ceramic
Ferrules are a vital sub-component of a fiber optic connector. They house the mating fibers and align them for optimal optical transmission. Zirconia ferrules have outstanding performance and durability. They offer low insertion loss and back reflection, and superior durability after repeated mating. Zirconia ferrules are available in several styles. There are two main types of ferrules: Pre-domed UPC ferrules and Angled Physical Contact (APC) ferrules.
The sfz-3a series zirconia-ceramic ferruls feature a large hole with a small hole that flows seamlessly into it. This feature enables better fiber assembly and processing. These ferrules are also durable and precise. They provide high accuracy, high rigidity, and the required tolerances for fiber-optic connectors.