Microscopic hollow glass microspheres can be used in numerous applications; as an adjusting aid and distancing element of electricity-conducting single components, in microelectronic mechanics, as an abrasion-deterring element in grating components, in mechanical engineering, and as a material for artistic surface design.
A New Adhesive System
The Controltac adhesive system is an innovation in the area of large format graphic films. In this system, approximately 50µm strong films are equipped. In addition to the adhesive, millions of microscopic (40 up to 50µm diameter) hollow glass microspheres are utilized in an exact, regular arrangement.
This is achieved through the preceding microstructuring of the surface. The small hollow glass microspheres create a gliding effect between the adhesive and the area to be adhered, enabling precise alignment of the foil.
The spheres sink into the adhesive layer upon application of stronger pressure, and can then be permanently fixed to the base. This technology enables large formatting foils to be adhered.
Lighter Materials
Another, new application comprises of a composite material of metal and hollow glass microspheres. The new material both shines and feels like solid metal, but at the same time, is remarkably light. In order to achieve this, the metal is poured into hollow glass microspheres measuring 60µm.
If the hollow glass microspheres are unevenly distributed, it results in an even surface, which feels completely smooth like metal. With an irregular distribution of the glass, the material appears as if it were marbled with veins.
Although the material is very porous, it appears completely smooth and weighs very little. With the density of aluminum of 2.7g/cm3 is lowered to 1.2g/cm3. With zinc from 7g/cm3, it is reduced by more than half, namely to 3.1g/cm3.
The Measurement
The image below shows the particle size distribution of hollow glass microspheres, which was attained using the ANALYSETTE 22 (maximum measuring range: 0.1–2100µm). The measurement was carried out using a dry dispersion unit with a modified pressure at the Venturi injectors.
The measuring range was covered from 0.85 up to approximately 116µm. During the assessment of the measuring data, the Mie-theory was used, especially in the area of smaller particle diameters for samples that have a small refractive index.
An already major deviation of the calculation according to Fraunhofer is recognizable. For comparison, a distribution curve from the Fraunhofer approximation was also drawn into the diagram.
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