| 3M™ Glass Bubbles are engineered hollow glass microspheres that are alternatives to conventional fillers and additives such as silicas, calcium carbonate, talc, clay, etc., for many demanding applications. These low-density particles are used in a wide range of industries to reduce part weight, lower costs and enhance product properties. The spherical shape of 3M glass bubbles offers a number of important benefits, including: higher filler loading, lower viscosity/improved flow, and reduced shrinkage and warpage. It also helps the 3M glass bubbles blend readily into compounds, and makes them adaptable to a variety of production processes, including spraying, casting and molding. In addition, they offer greater survivability under demanding processing conditions, such as injection molding, and also produce stable voids, which results in low thermal conductivity and a low dielectric constant. The chemically stable soda-lime-borosilicate glass composition of 3M glass bubbles provides excellent water resistance, to create more stable emulsions. They are also non-combustible and non-porous, so they do not absorb resin. And, their low alkalinity gives 3M glass bubbles compatibility with most resins, stable viscosity and long shelf life.Information provided by 3M |
