Method for continuous casting of metal wire and tube containing optical fibre

The Ohno continuous casting technique has been applied for the first time to the fabrication of wires and tubes containing optical fibres. By selection of the appropriate casting parameters, conditions were established by which it was possible to embed optical fibre within tin wires 2 mm in diameter and within the walls of tubes of outer diameter 8.8 mm and inner diameter 5 mm. Optical fibres were confined within the wire or the tube wall even though there is a large density difference between the fibre and the molten metal. Successful confinement of the fibre was obtained by locating an appropriately designed fibre feed guide at the entrance of the mould cavity. (C) 1995 The Institute of Materials.