Hollow glass microspheres are used in a number of applications that require their introduction into a matrix material through a variety of mixing operations.
In order to survive this processing, the spheres must be able to withstand tremendous pressures. To characterize the strength of the hollow glass microspheres as well as a comprehensive understanding of sphere mechanical properties, equipment was designed and constructed that could individually test spheres.
By the use of Classical Buckling Theory for isostatic compression and by developing a theory for failure under uniaxial compression, hollow glass microsphere strength can accurately be determined.
