The transfer behavior of poly(methylsilsesquioxane) microspheres reinforced poly(butylene terephthalate) composites in the deep sea

The role of deep sea environment in polymer transfer was investigated by studying poly(methylsilsesquioxane) (PMSQ) microspheres reinforced poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composites. The results show that besides reinforcement in mechanical strengths, the incorporation of PMSQ enhances PBT transfer due to its unique chemical structure, appropriate size and soft characteristic. The transfer process of composites starts with PMSQ particle transfer, forming the initial transfer layer and growing to optical visible transfer film. The seawater pressure prolongs the transfer process and decreases adhesion of transfer film by preferentially saturating hydroxyl groups at PMSQ surface and freshly created dangling bonds at metallic counterface.

Automated summary

In the deep sea environment, the incorporation of PMSQ enhances PBT transfer by forming an initial transfer layer that grows into an optical visible transfer film. However, seawater pressure prolongs the transfer process and decreases adhesion of the transfer film by saturating hydroxyl groups at PMSQ surface and metallic counterface dangling bonds.