Move left to right to align the polymer chains
Our technology
Our core technology, employed in our STFOC products, exploits the many novel properties of Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCPs) — self-reinforcing polymers that can exhibit a specific tensile strength ten times that of steel cable.
Aligned polymer chains, inside a tiny jacket
Linden continues to expand its product portfolio and design expertise through ongoing internal research as well as collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned technology companies.
STFOC jacketing with proper alignment of polymer chains results in both high tensile strength and excellent barrier properties. Our proprietary processes yield thin, extruded strands of LCP that have a tensile modulus comparable to Kevlar. Linden has also developed methods of surface treatment to reduce abrasion during the life of the cable.
In addition to high strength, STFOC exhibits excellent mechanical, thermal and chemical stability. By controlling the molecular orientation of the extruded LCP jacket, the expansion coefficient can be matched to that of the fiber. This provides a high degree of thermal stability, so the cable can be used over a very wide temperature range without increased attenuation from microbending. STFOC will survive exposure to organic solvents, acids and fuel oils.
Linden prides itself on having introduced innovative, high-quality optical cable products for demanding torpedo guidance, communication buoy and hybrid remotely operated vehicles (HROV). Our products provide quasi-hermetic, radiation resistant packages for the military, oil & gas, commercial telecommunications and sensor markets.
Our technology
A polymer with ten times the specific strength of steel cable
Our STFOC jacket aligns the polymer chains of Liquid Crystal Polymer as it is extruded, giving a tensile modulus comparable to Kevlar with excellent barrier properties — and a thermal expansion matched to the fiber itself.
Chosen for the job: buoyant, high temperature, low smoke or rugged polymers.
Protects the fiber from moisture, hydrogen and helium. Density 1.4 g/cm³ versus 8.4 for Inconel 625.
Singlemode, multimode, polyimide or carbon coated, even FBG inscribed — or fiber you supply.
Specific tensile strength of steel cable (LCP)
LCP density, versus 8.4 for Inconel 625
Co-60 tested with no mechanical degradation; customers to 80 MRad
Thermoplastic jacket — no metal or Kevlar required
Go deeper
The engineering behind the cable
White papers & presentations
Bend radius, fish bite, moisture protection, RadHard packaging and the making of the Endurance cable.
Read the research
Patents
Six US patents covering LCP jacketing, Non-Kink construction and hermetic packaging.
View patents
Procedures
Step-by-step termination procedures for STFOC, with and without Kevlar.
Download procedures
Material properties
How the jacket polymers we use compare on strength, temperature and resistance.
Compare materials
Have an application in mind?
Tell us what the cable has to do — the environment, the load, the length — and our engineers will recommend a catalog cable or design one for you. Short runs from 300 m.