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

This is a discussion:

Question:We are getting ready to launch the diyma store and one product we are considering is the hollow glass spheres, which can be used as a filler in epoxy resins.Any interest?

Jonny Hotnuts :Designed and primarily used to decrease rosin weight for composite aircraft. Adds a new dimension to safety concerns when using (respiratory). I have used these quite a bit for racing components stuff….not sure the advantage in CA.

Orion525iT : I kinda agree with Jonny. Its not that its uses are limited. But, the knowledge to use them, and likewise the demand will be limited. The spheres are very nice for making a lightweight epoxy filler, joining foam blocks for core construction, fairing and void filling where the ultimate in material performance is required. Spheres are needed and very useful in airplane, boat, and car parts. However, they would be of little use in car audio.As far as I can tell, most still use poly over epoxy in any case. If filler is needed, it is likely that some poly filler would be used.

With that said, I have tried to employ various advanced composite techniques (using core materials) for building my dash sub box and kick speakers. I have yet to find anyone who has tried the same. Because of the extremely asymmetric design of the dash sub box, and the amount of piecing together and modifying I have had to do, microspheres would be very handy, but not absolutely needed. Very steep learning curve, and lots of experimenting and failure. In all honesty, I don’t think that most people in their right minds would ever try what I am in any case .
I can see where fillers would be very nice for making adhesive pastes, but other fillers can be used with adequate results.

Summary of Process
Feed material may be glass frit, other dry particles or solutions containing the forming components
Compositions are typically soda lime silicates, sodium borosilicates, etc.
Feed must contain a blowing agent
A blowing agent is a material that decomposes and releases gas at elevated temperature
Commonly sulfur-containing compounds
Feed material is introduced into a flame at elevated temperatures (~1100-1400°C)
Gas released by the decomposition of the blowing agent causes particles or droplets to expand to hollow glass microsphere.

SRNL has developed an experimental apparatus for forming HGMs based on this technique.

Particles may enter the flame by:
Falling downward due to the force of gravity
An updraft may be used to control the residence time in the flame
Particles have a short residence time in the heated zone
Conducive to HGMs with smaller diameters
Ascending upward by a gaseous stream
Residence time in heated zone is longer
HGMs with larger diameters are produced
For More Information:

Up Flow
Sodium Silicate Particles
US Pat. 2,978,339 F. Veatch Emerson & Cuming
Spray Drying Sodium Silicate Solutions
US Pat. 3,669,050 C. Henderson Emerson & Cuming
Glass Particles
US Pat. 4,661,137 P. Garnier Saint Gobain
US Pat. 5,256,180 P. Garnier Saint Gobain

Down Flow
Clay Particles
US Pat. 2,676,892 J.D. McLaughlin Ferro Corp
Glass Particles
US Pat. 3,365,315 W.R. Beck 3M Co.
US Pat. 4,391,646 P.A. Howell 3M Co.
US Pat. 4,767,726 H.J. Marshall 3M Co.
US Pat. 6,254,981 R.B. Castle 3M Co

Feed is introduced at the bottom of the furnace
A hot, gaseous stream carries the feed upward
Residence time within the hot zone of the furnace is a function of:
Particle mass
Upward velocity of the gas stream
Residence time is critical – just enough time to form a “tough outer skin”
Hollow sphere must then be removed at the point of maximum expansion and moved through regions of progressively diminishing temperatures
“Outer skin” cools and solidifies providing mechanical strength
The cyclone separates the HGMs from the gases
HGMs are produced with diameters of ~10 – 350 μm

Feed is introduced at the top of the heating chamber by a vibratory funnel
A “fluidizing agent” may be added to the particles to improve dispersion
The particles are transported to the flame by a carrier gas
Carrier gas further disperses particles
Particles fall though the flame front where fusion occurs
HGMs are cooled and separated from the gas mixture by a cyclone
HGMs are produced with diameters less than 125 μm

Sinosteel Maanshan Institute of Mining Research Co., Ltd. Is a considerable strength of the high-tech companies.

The company has research and development centers, distribution centers and improve the management of the production base. We focused on a new multi-function ultra-fine materials research, production and development, for the industry to provide quality products, solutions and services to improve. The hollow micro bead ( Cenosphere ) is a new type of multi functional powder material, is a hollow spherical,, containing nitrogen and carbon dioxide by negative pressure gas ultra-fine ceramic vitreous ( the main ingredients for SiO2and Al2O3); it has a distinct appearance characteristics, a standard spherical, it has high compressive strength, high melting point, high electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and thermal contraction coefficient is small and so on characteristics, known as” space age material”.

As a result of this material has special physical, chemical properties and relatively low price, make it become a good filler and polymer modified material, it can be filled with product cost greatly reduced at the same time, but also enhanced the filled a number of products performance, can in many application fields ( epoxy resin cement mortar, plastic, rubber, resin, paint, paint, glass steel play a huge role, bring considerable economic benefits for the enterprise. Features: 1low price;2high strength, increase plastic impact resistance;3, low shrinkage, improve product warpage;4increase was filling liquidity, increase in plastics processing performance, while improving the engineering plastic surface leveling, solve the problem of the surface of glass fiber reinforced engineering plastic;

5improve the heat deformation temperature and Vicat softening point;6good thermal insulation, electrical insulation and corrosion resistance, high insulating polymer to be filled;7 the real density of 1.78g / cm3( bulk density1.12g / cm3) relative to the glass, calcium carbonate, talc powder, engineering plastics, can achieve weight loss;8flame retardant, thermal stability. Thermal stability is greater than 1300 degrees C, high temperature decomposition is not easy deformation, used for polymer filler, can improve the flame retardant properties;

9 of the products to provide SGS report, meets the environmental protection standard dosages: I recommended PP and PA in general, adding30-40%, HIPS, PBT add dosage for general 7-15%, ABS addition amount for general 5-7% usage: in general the use of engineering plastics, hollow micro bead in a high-speed mixer with silane coupling agent KH-550modified engineering plastics pellets, and appropriate mixing, directly in the double screw extruder extrusion pump tablets. Note:1. The hollow beads used in flame retardant HIPS and modified PP use, mainly in the partial replacement of flame retardant can reduce cost at the same time, improve the material processing performance and liquidity, increase product surface gloss, relative to the talcum powder filler in the impact performance aspect also has certain promotion. II.

In plus nylon fiber and fiber PBT add hollow bead, and the glass fiber blend, can effectively solve the problem of floating fiber surface, while reducing the shrinkage rate, increased dimensional stability. III in black masterbatch. ABS add 10%-15% hollow beads, can not affect the ABS flexibility and surface flow condition, reduces the ABS cost of products. Hollow bead is particularly suitable to add black ABS feed intake and the black 475pumping tablets, adding5%-15%, with a mixer to mix evenly need not be modified, with Zimu ( also called two machine ) pumping tablets.

Hollow microsphere is a lightweight non-metallic multifunctional filler material, the diameter in the 1-400microns, its main composition comprising silica and alumina three composition, and ceramic components, is a kind of new powder material, known as the space age materials, appearance is gray or white, loose, good fluidity, under a microscope with a silver sheen spheres, hollow, has a hard shell, shell as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, an inert gas, arm thickness diameter of 1020%.

Its characteristic is: the hollow, sphere, small density, good fluidity, high strength, low thermal conductivity, acid and alkali resistance, insulation, flame retardant, high temperature decomposition, low shrinkage, low oil absorption, low price, heat preservation, heat insulation.

It is widely used in the following industries: engineering plastics, paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, modified rubber, plastic modified, electrical insulation, rubber filler, filler and resin.

Detailed Product Description

1.Improve flow properties
2.A superior substitute of resin
3.Low shrinkage and warpage
4.More economical
5.Adjusting density

Application of Hollow glass microspheres in the artificial marble products.

Appearance:      White fine powder

Particle shape:  Hollow sphere

Composition:     Soda lime borosilicate quality

True density:    0.20-0.60g/cc

Average particle size: about 2-120μm

Compressive strength:  about 4-69MPa

Thermal conductivity:  0.03-0.06w/m.k
The products filled with hollow glass microspheres have advantages of light weight, smooth and beautiful appearance, and lower cost.

1.Increase heat resistance;

2.Lower weight by 20% -35%;

3.Easier processing (drilling, sawing, grinding);

4.Easy polishing, high surface finish quality, lower tool wear resistance;

5.Reduce the costs of packaging and transport;

6.faster module flipping to increase productivity

7.Anti-shrinkage, warpage resistance, improving cracking resistance ability, reducing breakage rate.
8.Reduce the consumption of catalyst.

hollow glass microsphere

The man-made wood filled with hollow glass microspheres can provide excellent quality assurance for parts of furniture, ornaments and sculptures. In the original formula, the product density can be adjusted by adding different percentage of hollow glass microspheres.

• The oil absorption rate of hollow glass microspheres is much less than that of other common fillers like calcium carbonate, so the viscosity is significantly lower also.
• Compared with traditional mineral additives, hollow glass microspheres have a better mobility, which are suitable for the manufacture of large area, thin wood board. The wood materials with addition of hollow glass microspheres are more easily nailed. It can avoid the phenomenon of cracking existing in the traditional formula of artificial wood in general after nailing.

Hollow glass microspheres mixture:

The filling content of hollow glass MICROSPHERES generally is between 5% -20%. It can be easily mixed with resin, and is proposed to be added at the final stages of mixing with a slower mixing speed. If the high-pressure pump required, it should be determined that whether the strength of hollow glass microspheres can meet the requirement in advance.

Note: The mixture method of hollow glass microspheres is also important, we strongly recommend that the mixing speed of adding hollow glass microspheres should be less than 100 r / min.

Application of Hollow glass microspheres in paint:
1.Glass microspheres have the smallest surface area and low oil absorption rate, can significantly reduce the consumption of other components in paint.
2.The vitrified surface of glass microspheres can realize the chemical corrosion resistant, and reflexaction on light. Therefore, the painting coating can prevent from fouling, corrosion, UV,yellowing and scratching etc.
3.Thin gas inside the hollow glass microspheres with compact arrangement, makes low thermal conductivity, so that paint coating has a very good effect on heat insulation.
4.Hollow glass microspheres can effectively enhance the fluidity and smoothness of coating.
5.Hollow glass microspheres contain gas inside, so it has a good contractility resistance to hot and cold, thus enhancing the flexibility of coating, greatly reducing the cracking and peeling of the coating due to thermal expansion and contraction.
6.On premise of high filling level, the viscosity of paint will not be significantly increased, thus reducing the usage of solvents. It can reduce toxic gas emissions in the process of painting, and VOC indicator can be effectively reduced.

Dosage recommendation:
The addition is normally about 10-20% of the total weight.

Adding methods are proposed as follows: Last step.
The hollow glass microspheres are proposed to add at the last step, and dispersed with low-speed, low shearing force mixing equipment. Due to its good liquidity, the spherical balls have less friction between each other, and are easily dispersed into mixture to completely keep wet within a short time. Through slightly extending mixing time can achieve uniform dispersion.
Hollow glass microspheres are inert and non-toxic. Due to its light weight, attention should be specially paid when adding. We recommend adding the beads by step, that is, the addition quantity is 1 / 2 of the remaining beads each time. It can well avoid the beads floating into the air and make it disperse even more completely.

Appearance:      White fine powde
Particle shape:  Hollow spheres
Composition:     Soda lime borosilicate quality
True density:    0.20-0.60g/cc
Average particle size: about 2-120μm
Compressive strength:  about 4-69MPa
Thermal conductivity:  0.03-0.06w/m.k

1.Hollow glass microsphere itself is inert without pollution. As a continuous medium, low density drilling fluid with addition of hollow glass microspheres was incompressible, and all wells are uniform in density. Sludge cakes formed have good lubrication, reducing the risk of sticking. It is technically infeasible for drilling large deviated wells and horizontal wells since the recycled micro-foam and air drilling technology can not deliver MWD signal. However, hollow glass microspheres have an irreplaceable advantage for it can not affect the system signal.

2.Hollow glass microspheres has a good rolling performance, and it can increase the drilling rate, and significantly improve the drilling efficiency.

3.Drilling fluid with hollow glass microspheres has feature of high temperature resistance, high pressure resistance, stability, durability, and can be recycled.

4.With the increase of low middle pressure layer, low-density slurry cementing with hollow glass microspheres were adopted to consolidate the wells to prevent or reduce leakage, increase the cement top. It plays a significant role in increasing the exploration reserves, improving single well production, and effectively developing underground oil and gas resources so as to solve complex problems.

High-performance hollow glass bead is a kind of ultra-lightweight inorganic non-

metallic powder with hollow glass microsphere, and it is a versatile and high-

performance new lightweight material developed in recent years.

It will be the new composite mainstream materials at twenty-first century. Its true

density is 0.20-0.60g/cm3 with 2-120μm in diameter.

It owns features with light weight, large bulky, low thermal conductivity, high compressive strength, smoothly mobility.

It can be used in cementing slurry, paint and coatings, rubber, plastics, glass, steel, artificial stone, putty and other

products as filler and weight-reducing agent. It can also be the excellent sensitizer for emulsion explosives;

Because of its high compressive properties, it can be used to produce high-strength low-density cement slurry and low-

density drilling fluid in oil and gas extraction industry.

Storage and Handling
To help ensure ease of storage and handling while maintaining free flowing properties, Hollow glass microspheres have been made from

a chemically stable glass and are packaged in a heavy-duty polyethylene bag within a cardboard container.

Minimum storage conditions should be unopened cartons in an unheated warehouse.

Under high humidity conditions with an ambient temperature cycling over a wide range, moisture can be drawn into the bag as the tem-

perature drops and the air contracts. The result may be moisture condensation within the bag. Extended exposure to these conditions

may result in “caking” of the hollow glass microspheres to various degrees. To minimize the potential for “caking” and prolong

the storage life, the following suggestions are made:

1.Carefully re-tie open bags after use.

2.If the polyethylene bag is punctured during shipping or handling, use this bag as soon as possible, patch the hole, or insert the

contents into an undamaged bag.

3.During humid summer months, store in the driest, coolest space available.

4.If good storage conditions are unavailable, carry a minimum inventory, and process on a first in/first out basis.

Dusting problems that may occur while handling and processing can be minimized by the following procedures:

1.For eye protection wear chemical safety goggles. For respiratory system protection wear an appropriate NIOSH/ MSHA approved resp-

irator. (For additional information about personal protective equipment, refer to Material Safety Data Sheet.)

2.Use appropriate ventilation in the work area.

3.Pneumatic conveyor systems have been used successfully to transport hollow glass microspheres without dusting from shipping cont-

ainers to batch mixing equipment. Static eliminators should be used to help prevent static charges.

Diaphragm pumps have been used to successfully convey hollow glass microspheres. Vendors should be consulted for specific recommendat-

ions.

The high-performance hollow glass microspheres breakage may occur if the product is improperly processed. To minimize breakage, avoid

high shear processes such as high speed Cowles Dissolvers, point contact shear such as gear pumps or 3-roll mills, and processing pre-

ssures above the strength test pressure for each product.

Health and Safety Information

For product Health and Safety Information, refer to product label and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) before using product.

The high-performance hollow glass microspheres, a kind of ultra-light inorganic non-metallic powder with hollow “ball-bearing” shapes, have been developed into a new type of high performance lightweight material and have been widely applied in recent years. It will be the main direction for new-type compound materials in the 21st century. Its true density is 0.15-0.60 g/cm3; particle size is 5-180μm，and the crush resistance is beyond 60Mpa; Due to its excellent advantages of light weight, bulk density, lower thermal conductivity, higher compressive strength, improved dispersion and liquidity, and excellent chemical stability, it can be used as filler in painting, rubber, plastics, FRP, artificial stone, putty, exploitation of oil and gas and other materials.

The high-performance hollow glass microspheres are alternatives to conventional fillers and additives, such as silica, 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 unique spherical shape of hollow glass microspheres offers a number of important benefits, including: higher filler loading, lower viscosity/improved flow and reduced shrinkage and warpage. It also helps the hollow glass microspheres blend readily into compounds and makes them adaptable to a variety of production processes including spraying, casting and molding.

The chemically stable soda-lime-borosilicate glass composition of hollow glass microspheres provides excellent water resistance to create more stable emulsions. They are also non-combustible and nonporous, so they do not absorb resin. And, their low alkalinity gives hollow glass microspheres compatibility with most resins, stable viscosity and long shelf life.