Contents
Introduction
Inside the Cable
Ripcords
Binders
Strength Members
Water Blocks
Introduction
Coats has been a pioneer in the industrial thread business for over 250 years. By listening to our customers and adapting to new technology and practices, Coats has been able to establish itself as a global leader in high performance sewing threads and engineered yarns.
Coats has also developed cutting edge products and services for the wire & cable industry, specifically in fiber optic cable manufacturing. Our products are used as ripcords, binder yarns, marker yarns, and dry water-blocking to offer a wide range of material substrates.
From the water-swellable Ultrabloc S/SC, to the ultra-low shrink Gral Binder LS, Coats is dedicated to providing our customers with solution-driven products. By doing so, Coats becomes your partner, one that provides not only quality products but also global service and peace of mind.
Inside the Cable

Ripcords
Ripcord
Brand
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Product
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Description
|
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Protos Ripcord PF |
Continuous filament, twisted, para-aramid yarn explicitly designed for armored cable ripcord applications. The unique protective film (PF) coating is highly abrasion resistant and proven to reduce ripcord size. |
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Gral Ripcord PF |
Polyester based, continuous filament yarn is best used for fiber optic cable ripcord applications. The unique protective film (PF) coating is highly abrasion resistant, has higher cutting modulus and is proven to help reduce ripcord size. |
Application
- Ripcord for armoured and non-armoured cables.
Available Substrates

Binders
"Binders"
Brand
|
Product
|
Description
|
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Gral Binder |
Multi-filament polyester yarn that is used in designs that call for standard low shrink (2%) binders. Packages are consistent in length, can withstand high stranding speeds and are available in one end and two end put ups. |
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Gral Binder LS |
Multi-filament polyester yarn that is ultra-low shrink (0.4%), offers high tensile strength and will not indent buffer tubes which can cause a defect in the cable and disrupt the stranding operation. Packages are available in one end and two end put ups. |
 |
Protos Binder |
Multi-filament para-aramid yarn that is used as a binder in loose tube designs requiring extra low shrink binders. Packages can be stranded in multiple directions, require less ends and are very light.
Available with wicking or non-wicking. |
Application
- Binders for loose tube telecommunication cables to prevent damage to buffer tubes. Ideal for high speed binder applications (up to 120m/min).

Available Substrates

Strength Members
"Strength Members"
Brand
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Product
|
Description
|
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Protos SM |
100% para-aramid fibre that is stronger than steel and offers enhanced tensile strength as well as stability to any fiber optic cable. |
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Glasmo SM VO |
Oval shaped glass fiber strength member engineered yarn for use in telecommunication cables that provide linear strength and stability and can be used to promote adhesion between the glass fiber components and cable sheath without an IR preheating process. The improved strength of the glass fiber means that cables can be redesigned to be smaller in size, saving cost. |
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Glasmo SM VF |
Flat, flexible glass fiber strength member yarn for use in telecommunication cables that provides linear strength and stability as well as rodent protection. |
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Glasmo Ultrabloc VFF |
A multi-functional, flat glass fiber strength member yarn provides linear strength, stability, and rodent protection. It is ideal for dry blocking in fiber optic cables for any application requiring no mess processing. |
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Glasmo Ultrabloc VRO |
Oval shaped multi-functional glass fiber strength member yarn for use in telecommunication cables that provide linear strength and stability and is ideal for dry blocking in fiber optic cables for any application requiring no mess processing. |
Application
- Strength members for drop wire cables including copper, fiber optic, shielded and coaxial cables

Available Substrates

Water Blocks
"Water Blocks"
Brand
|
Product
|
Description
|
 |
Protos Ultrabloc VLF |
Standard modulus coated aramid yarn that is water swellable and used in binder applications. The super absorbent polymer coating is applied to the yarn which enables it to provide 2-3 times better water absorption than competitors. |
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Protos Ultrabloc LF |
Water swellable coated aramid for use in telecommunication cables. Available in two different types, Type A is a standard modulus that is mainly used as a water swellable binder in general telecommunication cables, and Type B is a high modulus that is utilized as a water swellable strength member for ADSS cables. Both types have some of the lowest dusting and shedding in the industry that helps reduce machine downtime and improve cleanliness and safety during the cable manufacturing process. |
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Ultrabloc S/SC |
Water swellable yarn is ideal for dry blocking in fiber optic cables for any application requiring no mess processing, such as dry buffer tube blocking or dry blocking around central strength members. A pure spun super-absorbent polymer thread; the polyester core adds strength and temperature stability, which are essential to minimize the potential impact on the attenuation of optical fibers, especially for inside tubes as the yarns lay adjacent to the fibers. *Can also be used for salt and seawater blocking.
*Can also be used for salt and sea water blocking. |
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Ultrabloc SH |
It is a very high absorbing, water-swellable yarn/filler. It is ideal for dry blocking in cables that require extra water blocking such as inside ribbon or unitube fiber optic cables, copper communication cables, and medium to high voltage energy cables. The yarn is a pure spun super-absorbent polymer with a polyester wrap that appears “fluffy” nd very soft, allowing them to easily change form and fill empty spaces in all types of cables.
*Can also be used for salt and seawater blocking. |
 |
Dabond Ultrabloc L |
Continuous filament, high tenacity, polyester coated with an extremely smooth super absorbent water-swellable finish. This is excellent general purpose water blocking material and is appropriate for a wide variety of uses in fiber optic cables where high absorbency is needed. |
Application
- Water blocking components for outside plant cable applications

Available Substrates
- Polyester
- Aramids
- Fibreglass
- SAP

Contact Us
To talk to one of our Coats experts, please feel free to contact your local Coats representative.