A fibre optic cable includes a core of primary coated optical fibres
embedded in an inner layer of acrylate material, having sufficient
tensile strength when cured to lock at least the outermost fibres in
place and still allow the fibres to be easily broken out of the assembly
for termination and splicing purposes. The hardness of the acrylate layer
is such that at least the outermost fibres of the bundle are restricted
from moving axially relative to the inner layer. The inner layer is then
surrounded by a loose thin jacket formed from a mixture of high density
polyethylene having a Shore hardness greater than or equal to 60 and a
generally uniformly distributed slip agent, including a polyether
modified poly (dimethylsiloxane) material such as polyether modified
hydroxy functional poly (dimethylsiloxane) material. The mixture from
which the outer layer is formed is compacted by means of heat and
pressure. The outer layer may also contain a mineral filler, such as
calcium carbonate and/or titanium dioxide, in order to improve the
stability of the dimensions of the outer layer as the temperature
changes.