A fiber optic cable (10) having at least one optical fiber (22) and a component disposed within the cable (10) between a core (20) and a jacket section (30) of the cable, and a method of making the cable. The component includes a substrate (34) with a water blocking formulation (50) thereon, the water blocking formulation (50) comprising a radiation curable resin (52) and a water absorptive substance (54) at least partially embedded or compounded in the radiation curable resin (52). The radiation curable resin (52) includes an initiator for rapid processing speeds. The water blocking formulation (50) may include a non-compatible material for reducing friction and/or enhancing physical properties. Water blocking formulation (50) is advantageously adaptable to application on various exemplary cable components (40,75,87,94,96,98,104).