The lists of components and materials are useful in enhancing the user's understanding of the technology and construction of fiber-optics cables and the development of performance standards for cables.

This guide is intended for use by all parties involved with fiber optics: materials suppliers, cable manufacturers, and end-users.

1.1 This guide is intended to provide a list of materials commonly used in components that provide insulation, jacketing and strength in fiber-optic cables. Where these materials are covered by ASTM standards, an appropriate reference is made. Due to changing technology, not all materials being used are necessarily listed here.

1.2 This guide does not include materials used in components for optical purposes (optical fiber and its coating) or external metallic armoring (such as for a barrier to rodents).

1.3 This guide offers two general lists of materials:

1.3.1 A subdivision of fiber-optic cable construction into components that are used for insulation, jacketing, or strength, with a generic material classification for specific applications in each component (see Section 5); and

1.3.2 An alphabetical list of the generic material classifications, showing ASTM standards where they exist (see Table 1).