Glass bubble,Hollow glass microspheres , Glass sphere beads, Manufacturer & suppliers

Glass bubbles (also known as hollow glass microspheres) are lightweight, hollow spheres made of glass. They are widely used in various industries due to their unique combination of physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Below are their key physical properties:

1. Physical Characteristics
Material Composition: Typically made from soda-lime borosilicate glass.
Shape: Hollow spherical particles with smooth surfaces.
Density: Extremely low, typically ranging from 0.1 g/cm³ to 0.6 g/cm³, depending on the wall thickness and size.
Size: Diameter ranges from 10 µm to 300 µm, with customizable distributions.
2. Thermal Properties
Thermal Conductivity: Low thermal conductivity, typically around 0.05 to 0.1 W/m·K, making them excellent thermal insulators.
Service Temperature: Can withstand high temperatures, typically up to 500°C, depending on the specific formulation.
3. Mechanical Properties
Strength:
Compressive Strength: Varies by type, typically ranging from 300 psi to 10,000 psi. High-strength variants are available for demanding applications.
Elastic Modulus: Exhibits good rigidity due to the glass structure.
4. Chemical Properties
Inertness: Chemically stable and resistant to water, acids, and most solvents.
Non-Permeability: The hollow structure ensures low gas and liquid permeability.
5. Optical Properties
Refractive Index: Approximately 1.5, making them suitable for optical applications like reflective coatings.
6. Electrical Properties
Dielectric Strength: High electrical resistivity and low dielectric constant (~1.2 to 1.5), making them useful in electronic applications.
Unique Advantages
Lightweight: Reduces the density of composite materials significantly.
High Volume-to-Weight Ratio: Useful in weight-sensitive applications.
Thermal and Acoustic Insulation: Ideal for use in energy-saving materials and noise-reducing panels.
Improved Flowability: Helps in processing when added to polymers and coatings.
Applications
Aerospace and Automotive: Lightweight composites for fuel efficiency.
Oil and Gas: Drilling muds and cements with reduced density.
Construction: Lightweight concrete and insulation materials.
Electronics: Encapsulants and thermal management materials.
Healthcare: Lightweight fillers in medical devices.