Fabrication of polycarbonate polymer optical fibre core via extrusion method: The role of temperature gradient and collector speed on its characteristics

Fabrication of polycarbonate polymer optical fibre core using various extrusion temperatures and drawing speeds was experimentally demonstrated. Extrusion temperature had a significant effect on fibre performance. The optimum temperature in which fibre exhibited the best thermal and optical properties was 290 °C, however, at higher temperature due to degradation of the polymer the fibre lost its quality for light propagating. The mechanical properties of the fibre were influenced by its diameter. Increasing the drawing speed to 20 rpm reduced the diameter of the fibre to ~341 μm and Young’s modulus and tensile strength increased to 2.12 and 119.06 MPa, respectively. Our comprehensive investigation of polycarbonate polymer core features may propose a novel method for precise fabrication of polymer optical fibre suitable in optical industries.