Specialty Optical Fibers Handbook

in much the same way as etching in hydrofluoric acid (a discussion of which is

presented later). However, strength loss of the strong sections of fiber might be

more important because the fiber might become too weak to handle along its

entire length.

24.3.4 Nonsilicate Glasses

The measurement of the strength, fatigue, and aging of nonsilicate glasses has

not been very extensive. The measurements have often been made in two-point

bending and, therefore, usually not for long lengths of fiber. While this is

valuable for the assessment of the measured strength relative to the theoretical

strength, these are not necessarily practical or useful strengths. ...