3M Fiber Optic Polishing User Manual

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3M Fiber Optic Polishing

Total

Solutions

Polishing Needs

for Your

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Innovative

products

for your

3M offers complete solutions for ﬁber optic connector polishing – with a full line of high performance precision abrasives, backed by the technical service and support of our experienced, knowledgeable ﬁber optics specialists. We’re ready to help you generate the ﬁnish you need on a wide variety of connectors. We can optimize your polishing operation to produce cost-effective results. Call the 3M Fiber Optic Applications Laboratory today to learn more: 866-866-0922. Or visit us on the web: www.3M.com/electronics

unique

polishing system

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New!

Enhanced

Life

3M™ Lapping Film

Precisely graded minerals are coated on a high strength, 3 mil polyester backing to provide a uniform, consistent ﬁnish. Available in silicon carbide ﬁlm for glass and epoxy removal, and in aluminum oxide for leveling and polishing steps. Available in 0.05 - 30 micron grades, with or without PSA (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive) backing.

3M™ Diamond Lapping Film 661X / 668X

This standard Diamond Lapping Film is comprised of tightly graded diamond minerals uniformly coated on a polyester ﬁlm backing. It is able to cut and polish hard ceramic ferrules and glass ﬁbers at the same rate and to the same level. Used to radius ferrule connectors or to reﬁne the ﬁnish in preparation for the ﬁnal polish. Available in 0.1 - 30 micron grades, with or without PSA backing.

3M™ Diamond Lapping Film 661XU / 661XU-PSA

Tightly graded diamond mineral is precision coated on a polyester ﬁlm backing. This durable construction provides consistent processing and superior ﬁnishes throughout the life of the product. Available in 0.5, 1, 3 and 6 micron grades, with or without PSA backing.

3M™ Diamond Lapping Film - Type H - 662XW / 666XW

Designed for radiusing and leveling operations that require added durability. Diamond Lapping Film

- Type H has a thicker diamond coating with a higher diamond concentration and a tougher resin for an increased cut rate and longer life. Type H lasts 2 to 3 times longer than standard DLF. Available in 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 6 and 9 micron grades, with or without PSA backing.

3M™ Diamond Lapping Film 660XV

This long life, precision coated 3M™ Diamond Lapping Film is the most durable and newest in 3M’s Diamond Lapping Film product family. It combines a high cut rate with a great ﬁnish, and is designed

for use on slower rpm polishing machines. Available in 1, 3, 6, and 9 micron grades.

3M™ Lapping Films are available in sheets, discs and rolls for use on any type of polishing equipment. These ﬁlms are especially designed for use in factory or ﬁeld applications.

3M™ Trizact™ Diamond Lapping Film 661XA / 661XA-PSA

Micron graded diamond particles contained in a precisely microreplicated structure provide longer life, aggressive cut and superior ﬁnish over standard lapping ﬁlm products. Available in 0.5, 2 and 9 micron grades, with or without PSA.

3M™ Lapping Film 863X, 863XW / 869X, 869XW

These products are precision coated on a 3 mil backing for the ﬁnal step in polishing ﬁber optic connectors. 863XW has a higher mineral content than 863X, providing easier breakdown and faster polishing. Available with or without PSA backing.

3M™ Polishing Film 291X, 491X, 591X / 298X, 498X, 598X

Comprised of micron graded mineral that has been coated onto a ﬁbrous (ﬂocked) polyester ﬁlm backing. Designed to break down into a slurry during use with water for MT-style ﬁber optic connectors. Available plain or with PSA. (961M/968M are available with no mineral coating.)

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Selection Guide

3M’s Technical Service Representatives suggest using these polishing guidelines for polishing ceramic singlemode or multimode ﬁber optic connectors. In the top chart, locate your connector type, then refer to tables A, B and C below to select one of the options for each step. These recommended sequences provide typical starting points. Your actual sequences may vary depending on your polishing equipment and ﬁnish requirements.

GRY (Gray)

GRN (Green)

BRN (Brown)

YEL (Yellow)

ORN (Orange)

OFW (Off-White)

PNK (Pink)

BLU (Blue)

LAV (Lavender)

TL (Teal)

MNL (Manila)

EGS (Eggshell)

WHT (White)

TRL (Translucent)

Mineral Key A/O = Aluminum Oxide S/C = Silicon Carbide D = Diamond SiO2 = Silicon Dioxide

Polishing Processes for Ceramic Fiber Optic Connectors

Connector Type Step See Table for

Remove Glass

Ceramic, Ultra PC, Pre-radiused ferrule

Ceramic, Angle PC

Ceramic, Super PC, Pre-radiused ferrule

1.25 mm LC and MU Connectors

(De-nub)

Remove Epoxy A 30 - 60 200 - 350

Reﬁne B 30 - 120 200 - 350

Polish C 15 - 45 150 - 250

Grind Angle A 40 - 120 200 - 350

Radius Ferrule B 60 - 180 200 - 350

Reﬁne B 30 - 120 200 - 350

Polish C 15 - 60 150 - 250

Remove Glass

(De-nub)

Remove Epoxy A 30 - 60 200 - 350

Reﬁne B 30 - 120 200 - 350

Polish C 15 - 45 150 - 250

De-nub-Epoxy

Removal

Reﬁne B 30 - 60 100 - 150

Polish C 90 - 120 100 - 150

Recommended Products

A 30 - 60 75 - 125

TABLE A - De-Nub and Epoxy Removal

Mineral Available Micron Sizes

5 6 9 12 15 30

3M™ Diamond Lapping Films, 661X, 662XW, 661XU, 660XV

3M™ Trizact™ Diamond Lapping Film, 661XA

3M™ Lapping Film, 461X

3M™ Lapping Film, 261X

D BLU ORN*

D GRY

S/C GRY GRY GRY* GRN*

A/O BRN BLU YEL GRN

TABLE B - Reﬁne (Level Connector)

Mineral Available Micron Sizes

0.5 1 2 3 4 6 9

3M™ Diamond Lapping Films, 661X, 662XW, 661XU, 660XV

3M™ Trizact™ Diamond Lapping Film, 661XA

3M™ Lapping Film, 462X, 463X or 452X

3M™ Lapping Film, 261X, 262X or 263X

D MNL LAV PNK BRN

D GRY GRY

S/C GRY GRY

A/O GRN TL PNK

TABLE C - Polish (Finish)

Mineral Available Micron Sizes

0.02 0.05 0.1 0.3

3M™ Lapping Film, 863X or 863XW

3M™ Lapping Film, 263X

3M™ Lapping Films 261X

SiO

A/O EGS WHT

A/O OFW

TRL

Time

(sec.)

Until nub is

removed

Until nub is

removed

Recommended Lubricant: DI water

Pressure

(g/conn)

By hand

*Common for angle grinding

Available with PSA backing.

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3M™ Polishing Film helps you consistently meet geometry and ﬁber height requirements in your MT connector polishing operation. Precisely graded minerals coated on a ﬁbrous backing enable you to generate ﬁber protrusion and attain the proper ferrule geometry.

3M Polishing Film can provide:

• Control of ﬁber protrusion • Less cleaning than a slurry process

• High throughput • Low rejects

Suggested Process for Polishing MT Fiber Optic Connectors

3M Technical Service Engineers recommend using the following sequences for polishing MT ﬁber optic connectors. These sequences provide typical starting points. Your actual process may vary depending on your polishing equipment and ﬁnish requirements.

3M™ Polishing Film

Product I.D. Mineral Micron Grade Color

298X Aluminum Oxide 0.5 Pink

298X Aluminum Oxide 1 Green

498X Silicon Carbide 3 Gray

598X Cerium Oxide 0.5 Peach

Thermoset MT (Singlemode or Multimode)

Step

Remove Epoxy 15 Silicon Carbide 468X

Step 2 3 Silicon Carbide 468XW

Step 3 3 Silicon Carbide 498X

Repeat Step 3 with fresh abrasive for increased protrusion

Step 4 1 Aluminum Oxide 298X

Step 5 0.5 Cerium Oxide 598X

Micron

Grade

Mineral

Product

I.D.

Description Color

3M™ Lapping Film

3M™ Polishing Film

Gray

Green

Peach

Thermoplastic MT (Singlemode or Multimode)

Step

Remove Epoxy 15 Silicon Carbide 468X 3M™ Lapping Film Gray

Step 2 3 Silicon Carbide 468XW 3M™ Lapping Film Gray

Step 3 1 Aluminum Oxide 298X 3M™ Polishing Film Green

Step 4 0.5 Cerium Oxide 598X 3M™ Polishing Film Peach

Micron

Grade

Mineral

Product

I.D.

Description Color

Thermoplastic Angled MT

Step

Remove Epoxy* 15 Silicon Carbide 468X

Step 2 (cut angle) 15 Silicon Carbide 468X

Step 3 3 Silicon Carbide 468XW

Step 4 3 Silicon Carbide 498X

Repeat Step 4 with fresh abrasive for increased protrusion

Step 5 1 Aluminum Oxide 298X

Step 6 0.5 Cerium Oxide 598X

*Remove epoxy in ﬂat ﬁxture

Micron

Grade

Mineral

For multimode, add or replace last step with Final Polish Film 863X or 863XW for 5 seconds. All products listed above are available without PSA.

Product

I.D.

Description Color

3M™ Lapping Film

3M™ Polishing Film

Gray

Green

Peach

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3M Final Polish Products for Fiber Optic Connectors

Fiber Height

Uses

863XW

863X

54321

Frequency

Backreflection (-db)

55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

3M™ Lapping Films 863X and 863XW offer a clean break from slurries

3M™ Lapping Film ﬁnal polish products can deliver high yields, reducing the need for costly rework in ﬁnal polishing of ceramic ﬁber optic connectors. The ﬁlm easily produces optimal ﬁber height and minimal visual defects. It helps ﬁnished connectors meet Telecordia GR-326 standards.

These high-performing ﬁlms feature micron-graded silicon dioxide particles coated on a 3 mil, high-strength polyester backing. 3M ﬁnal polish products are part of a complete lineup of lapping ﬁlms designed for ﬁber optic connector polishing. They provide precision polishing alternatives to messy slurries that require time-intensive cleanup.

Lapping Films 863X vs. 863XW

With a choice of two ﬁlm variations designed for the ﬁnal step in the polishing sequence, 3M lets you select the ﬁlm based on your requirements.

863X and 863XW are available in discs, sheets and rolls. Maximum width: 12 inches.

Film 863X

Performance Characteristics

• Offers superior ﬁber height control

• Polishes more slowly than 863XW

• More controlled cut rate

Polishing Machine Compatibility/ Backings

• For use on most polishing machines and ﬁxtures, including machines that run at higher speeds and higher pressure

• Available with pressure sensitive adhesive backing. Product ID is 869X

Fiber Height at Number of Uses

Film 863XW

Performance Characteristics

• Higher mineral content than 863X enables faster polishing

Polishing Machine Compatibility/ Backings

• Designed for use on machines that run at lower speeds and lower pressures

• Designed for use on ﬁxtures with individual pressure control that allow connectors to ﬂoat independently

• Available with pressure sensitive adhesive backing. Product ID is 869XW

Backreﬂection Results

Actual usage could be longer or shorter depending on equipment, connectors, and process conditions.

Using 3M™ Lapping Film 863X/863XW for your ﬁnal polishing step helps you easily meet Telecordia back reﬂection standards.

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3M™ Novec™ Contact Cleaner for Fiber Optic Connector Cleaning

3M™ Novec™ Contact Cleaner combines fast, effective cleaning performance with an excellent safety and environmental proﬁle. Designed for a variety of assembly level and ﬁeld maintenance cleaning tasks, Novec contact cleaner uses an advanced 3M solvent technology that offers a number of signiﬁcant advantages over many conventional spray cleaners, including:

• Fast drying • Low in toxicity

• Streak free • Non-ﬂammable

Novec Contact Cleaner also features an excellent environmental proﬁle. The product is non-ozone depleting, is exempt from the U.S. EPA’s and most state and district deﬁnitions of a volatile organic compound (VOC) and contains no nPB or HAPS. It is based on a sustainable technology and offers an alternative for cleaners containing HCFC-141b or HCFC-225.

• Removes particulates, oils, light grease, silicones, dust and other soils from connector end faces

• Quick drying and non-corrosive

• Safe for plastics and metals

Performance

The photos below compare identical connectors that were wiped with isopropanol (IPA) and Novec Contact Cleaner. The Novec Contact Cleaner does not leave residual contamination on the surface that can affect ﬁber optic circuit performance.

Ceramic Connector Cleaned with IPA

Ceramic Connector Cleaned with Novec Contact Cleaner

MT Connector Cleaned with IPA

MT Connector Cleaned with Novec Contact Cleaner

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For Additional Information

To request additional product information or to arrange for sales assistance, call toll free: 1-800-251-8634. Address correspondence to: 3M Electronics Markets Materials Division, Building 21-1W-10, 900 Bush Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55144-1000. Our fax number is 651-778-4244 or 1-877-369-2923. In Canada, phone: 1-800-364-3577. In Puerto Rico, phone: 1-787-750-3000. In Mexico, phone: 52-70-04-00.

For technical assistance call the Fiber Optics Applications Development Lab Toll-free, 1-866-866-0922

Important Notice: Before using this product, you must evaluate it and determine if it is suitable for your intended application. You assume all risks and liability associated with such use.

Warranty; Limited Remedy; Limited Liability: 3M’s product warranty is stated in its Product Literature available upon request. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES INCLUDING, BUT

NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. If this product is defective within the warranty period stated above, your exclusive remedy shall be, at 3M’s option, to replace or repair the 3M product or refund the purchase price of the 3M product. Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential loss or damage arising from this 3M product, regardless of the legal theory asserted.

Electronics Markets Materials Division 3M Electronics

3M Center, Building 21-1W-10 St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 www.3M.com/electronics 1-800-251-8634

3M, Trizact and Novec are trademarks of 3M Company. Used under license by 3M subsidiaries and afﬁliates.