What are the disadvantages of polymer fibers optics?
The ends of polymer fibers can't operate along with high temperatures. Illuminators or light sources are required with a screen temperature lower than 60ºC. Although several polymers can work with 100ºC and over, this fact is that such constant high temperatures cause changes on the polymer chains, particularly at the common end. It results on a hardening and blooming or blushing of the material, causing a deterioration of that system. The utilization of very powerful and hot illuminators along with polymer fibers, mainly cases there is sheer madness.
Though, there is very little data on polymer aging, several manufacturers offer a 20-year guarantee upon their systems that is more than sufficient in most instances.
Radius of curvature is a delicate issue with large diameter solid core fibers and it has to be handled with great care in order not to change the internal architecture of the fibers that will result in losses. Unsheathed or bare fibers are very delicate and the external cladding becomes quickly damaged because of abrasions and scratches.