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

Glass bubbles, also known as glass microspheres or hollow glass microspheres, are tiny spherical particles made of glass. These glass bubbles have a wide range of applications, including within the automotive industry. Here’s how glass bubbles are used in the automotive sector:

1. Lightweighting: One of the primary applications of glass bubbles in the automotive industry is to achieve lightweighting. Glass bubbles are lightweight and low-density materials. By incorporating glass bubbles into various components, such as plastics, composites, and coatings, manufacturers can reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. This can lead to improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
2. Thermal Insulation: Glass bubbles have excellent thermal insulating properties due to the air trapped within their hollow structure. They can be used as additives in automotive insulation materials to enhance the vehicle’s thermal performance. This is especially important for components like engine compartments, where temperature management is critical.
3. Noise Reduction: Glass bubbles can also contribute to noise reduction within vehicles. When added to materials used for interior panels or underbody coatings, they can help dampen sound and vibrations, leading to a quieter and more comfortable driving experience.
4. Thermal Management: Glass bubbles have the ability to reflect heat due to their glass composition. This property can be harnessed to improve the thermal management of components like headlights or electronics in the vehicle.
5. Coatings and Paints: Glass bubbles can be incorporated into paints and coatings used on vehicles. They can help control viscosity, improve sag resistance, and provide better coverage, leading to more consistent and durable finishes.
6. Plastics and Composites: Glass bubbles can be added to plastic and composite materials used in automotive parts. This can help improve the material’s mechanical properties, such as stiffness and impact resistance, while still maintaining a lower weight compared to traditional materials.
7. Fuel Efficiency: By reducing the weight of the vehicle and enhancing its aerodynamics, glass bubbles can contribute to improved fuel efficiency, which is a critical factor for both conventional and electric vehicles.
8. Environmental Benefits: Glass bubbles are environmentally friendly materials as they are made from glass, a recyclable material. Their use in automotive applications aligns with efforts to create more sustainable and eco-friendly vehicles.

Glass bubbles offer a versatile solution for enhancing various aspects of automotive design, manufacturing, and performance. Their ability to contribute to lightweighting, thermal management, noise reduction, and other important factors makes them a valuable tool in the pursuit of more efficient, comfortable, and environmentally friendly vehicles.

Hollow glass microspheres are used for filling ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene materials, serving as a solid lubricant to improve processing flowability and modifying the comprehensive mechanical properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene materials to improve their strength and wear resistance.
The tensile strength, impact strength, hardness and other mechanical properties of nylon 6 with hollow glass microspheres have been improved, and can prevent material aging caused by light and heat. As the content of glass microspheres increases, the Martin heat resistance temperature of the material increases. Used for producing bearings, cameras, furniture accessories, etc;
Filling hard PVC with hollow glass microspheres to produce profiles, pipes, and plates can provide good dimensional stability, improve rigidity and heat resistance, and improve production efficiency;
Filling with ABS can improve the stability of material size, reduce shrinkage, increase compressive strength and flexural modulus, and improve surface paint performance. It can be widely used in the production of television casings, automotive plastic parts, audio equipment, and household appliances;
⊙ Filled with epoxy resin, it can reduce material viscosity, improve physical and mechanical properties, and can be used to produce composite foam plastics, deep-sea submarines, lifeboats, etc;
Filling with unsaturated polyester can reduce material shrinkage and water absorption, improve wear resistance, and reduce voids during lamination and coating. It can be used to produce fiberglass products, polishing wheels, tools, etc;
Glass bead rubber is a good high-pressure, broadband sound-absorbing material, and the target body composed of it has many practical advantages: it is easy to make zero buoyancy targets, so it is suitable for making drag targets; Good softness can make the target easy to fold and unfold.
Application of Hollow Glass Microspheres in Atomic Ash (Putty)
The advantages of a new type of atomic ash made of hollow glass microspheres compared to ordinary atomic ash are:
Easy to prepare and produce, hollow glass microspheres can be well mixed using a simple low-speed mixer, resulting in light weight and large relative volume of the finished product.
Compared with ordinary atomic ash, the new type of atomic ash can replace 10-20% of talc powder, calcium carbonate, and bentonite with 5% hollow glass microspheres. Its volume also increases by 15-25% compared to ordinary atomic ash, saving about 8% of resin.
The oil absorption rate of hollow glass microspheres is much smaller than that of ordinary fillers such as talc powder, which can significantly reduce viscosity.
Atomic ash produced using hollow glass microspheres is easy to polish; Save time, effort, and dust.
The application of hollow glass microspheres in artificial marble products Adding hollow glass microspheres can reduce the weight of the product, have a smooth and beautiful appearance, and reduce costs.

1. Improve resistance to heat
2. Weight reduction of 20% -35%
3. Easier machining performance (drilling, sawing, polishing)
4. Easy to polish, high surface gloss, reducing tool wear
5. Reduce packaging and transportation costs
6. Improve production efficiency through faster mold flipping
7. Anti shrinkage and anti warping, improving anti cracking ability, and reducing product damage rate.
8. Reduce the amount of catalyst used

Glass bubbles, also known as glass microspheres or hollow glass microspheres, are tiny spherical particles made of glass that have a hollow interior. They find various uses across different industries due to their unique properties. Some of the common uses of glass bubbles include:

1. Lightweight Fillers: Glass bubbles are often used as lightweight fillers in a variety of materials, such as polymers, composites, and coatings. Adding glass bubbles to these materials can reduce their density, resulting in lighter finished products. This is particularly useful in applications where weight reduction is essential, such as in automotive parts, aerospace components, and marine structures.
2. Thermal Insulation: The hollow structure of glass bubbles provides excellent thermal insulation properties. They can be added to building materials like concrete, plaster, and insulation foams to improve their thermal performance. This helps in reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling, making buildings more energy-efficient.
3. Buoyancy and Floatation: Due to their low density, glass bubbles are often used in underwater applications where buoyancy and floatation are required. They are used in marine buoys, underwater vehicles, and even in the construction of lightweight floating structures.
4. Paints and Coatings: Glass bubbles are used in paints and coatings to enhance their properties. They can improve the texture, spreadability, and viscosity of coatings. Additionally, the reflective properties of glass bubbles can contribute to improved solar reflectance in coatings, leading to cooler surfaces and reduced energy consumption.
5. Thermal Barrier Coatings: Glass bubbles are utilized in thermal barrier coatings to create a layer of insulation. These coatings are applied to high-temperature surfaces to protect underlying materials from heat damage, such as in industrial furnaces and engines.
6. Cosmetics and Personal Care: In cosmetics and personal care products, glass bubbles can be used as texturizers and fillers in various formulations, including creams, lotions, and powders. They can provide a smoother texture and improve the spreadability of these products.
7. Oil and Gas Industry: Glass bubbles are used in the oil and gas industry as lightweight additives in drilling fluids. They help to reduce the density of the fluids used in drilling operations, enabling better control of pressure and preventing blowouts.
8. Automotive Industry: Glass bubbles are incorporated into automotive parts to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency. They are used in components like dashboards, door panels, and interior trim pieces.
9. Aerospace Industry: The aerospace industry uses glass bubbles in various applications to reduce the weight of components without compromising on strength. This is crucial for achieving fuel efficiency and overall performance in aircraft and spacecraft.
10. Electronics and 3D Printing: Glass bubbles can be used as fillers in electronics encapsulation and 3D printing materials. They can help to reduce the weight of electronic components and provide insulation.
11. Medical and Healthcare: In medical devices and equipment, glass bubbles can be used to create lightweight yet strong components. They can also find applications in drug delivery systems and implants.

These are just a few examples of the many diverse applications of glass bubbles across industries. Their lightweight, insulating, and strength-enhancing properties make them a valuable additive in various materials and products.

Glass bubbles etched with tunable sizes of through-holes, also known as porous glass microspheres, are innovative materials with a range of potential applications. These structures are typically created through a process called sol-gel synthesis followed by selective etching. Here’s a breakdown of the concept and its applications:

Concept:

1. Sol-Gel Synthesis: The process begins with the creation of a sol-gel material, where a precursor solution containing metal alkoxides is polymerized to form a gel-like substance. This gel can then be shaped into microspheres using techniques like droplet formation.
2. Selective Etching: After forming the microspheres, a selective etching process is applied to remove certain components from the gel structure. In the case of glass microspheres, the aim is to create through-holes or pores within the microspheres. This is achieved by carefully controlling the etching conditions, such as the type and concentration of etchant used, and the duration of etching.

Applications:

1. Drug Delivery: The tunable through-holes in glass microspheres can be engineered to release drugs in a controlled manner. The pores’ sizes and distribution determine the rate of drug release, making these microspheres valuable in pharmaceutical applications.
2. Catalysis: The porous structure can serve as a support for catalysts, providing a high surface area for catalytic reactions. The adjustable pore sizes enable the control of reactant diffusion and catalytic activity.
3. Thermal Insulation: The porous glass microspheres can be incorporated into insulating materials, such as paints or coatings, to enhance thermal insulation properties. The through-holes reduce thermal conductivity while maintaining mechanical stability.
4. Lightweight Composites: These microspheres can be used as fillers in lightweight composite materials, offering improved strength-to-weight ratios and damping characteristics.
5. Microfluidics: The tunable through-hole sizes make these microspheres suitable for use in microfluidic devices. They can be integrated into lab-on-a-chip systems to manipulate and control fluid flow and reactions.
6. Environmental Remediation: The porous microspheres can be functionalized to selectively absorb or adsorb pollutants from water or air, aiding in environmental cleanup efforts.
7. Optics and Photonics: By controlling the through-hole sizes and the refractive index of the glass, these microspheres can be used in optics and photonics applications, such as micro-lenses, light scattering, and sensors.
8. Biotechnology: These microspheres can be employed in biotechnology applications, such as cell culture scaffolds, where the porous structure facilitates cell adhesion, growth, and nutrient exchange.
9. Oil and Gas Industry: The porous microspheres can be used in drilling fluids to control viscosity, density, and fluid loss, improving drilling efficiency and wellbore stability.
10. Aerospace Materials: The lightweight and insulating properties of these microspheres can find use in aerospace materials, such as thermal protection coatings for spacecraft.

The tunability of through-hole sizes in these glass microspheres allows for customization according to specific application requirements, making them versatile and attractive for various industries.

1. Repair composite materials (resin putty)
The typical application of composite materials for repair is to add hollow glass microspheres into the resin to replace some fillers such as calcium carbonate and talc powder to make various types of putty. It has the advantages of light weight, strong adhesion, easy foaming, low shrinkage, and particularly significantly improved processing performance such as sanding and polishing. For hollow microspheres, dust is a problem. Interestingly, during post-processing, such as polishing, the damage to the hollow microspheres results in dust with the same density as glass, so that it does not float in the air and easily land on the ground. This will greatly reduce the disadvantage of high dust content in the air. This type of putty is widely used in repair operations of fiberglass products, automobiles, ships, machine tools, etc. It should be noted that the diameter of hollow glass microspheres should not be too large to prevent excessive pinholes after polishing, and a more ideal grading should be selected.
2. Synthetic foam plastic block and light core material
As early as 1971, there was a research paper at the SPI annual meeting, which introduced that high quality foam was obtained by adding insulating glass beads to epoxy resin, and the density was reduced by 20%~30%. When the foam density is 0.66g/cm3, the static pressure strength is 1136kg/cm2. When manufacturing lightweight GRP core materials, it is precisely the use of hollow glass microspheres that solves the technical problem. Compared with conventional fiberglass, the use of this core material greatly improves the stiffness of the product and reduces weight. The thickness of the core material is selected based on the stiffness. The density of the core material is 0.57g/cm3~0.67g/cm3, and the compressive strength is 284kg/cm2~426kg/cm2. Widely used in various industrial products, such as sandwich composite panels for vehicles, ships, buildings, sports equipment, models, deep water floats, etc.
3. Polyester furniture
Polyester furniture is another application field of hollow glass microspheres, mainly aimed at reducing their density. For example, it can achieve a density of 0.9g/cm3 for mixtures, 1.09g/cm3 for perlite and 1.46g/cm3 for calcium carbonate. At the same time, it also improves processing performance such as sanding and polishing, saving around 50% of working hours. As the proportion of hollow glass microspheres increases, their stiffness also significantly increases.
4. FRP spraying process
The resin system containing hollow glass microspheres can be sprayed using airless spraying equipment, and in addition, glass fiber short cut felt, cloth, and other fabrics can be used to manufacture laminated boards for ships. Choose the corresponding type of hollow glass microspheres according to the different pressures in the system. A typical formula is that the volume content of hollow glass microspheres is 22%, and the corresponding weight content is about 5%. Mixing equipment with lower shear force can effectively disperse it into the resin.

5. SMC and BMC products
Adding hollow glass microspheres to SMC and BMC can reduce the weight of their final molded products by 25% to 35%. The density has decreased from 1.7g/cm3 to 1.9g/cm3 to 1.2g/cm3 to 1.4g/cm3, and the dielectric properties have also been greatly improved. Choosing the appropriate formula can produce insulation panels that meet specific requirements. A typical application example is the ability to manufacture lightweight automotive and building components.
6. Glass fiber winding and extrusion process
The application of hollow glass microspheres in fiber winding and pultrusion processes can reduce costs, reduce the density of composite materials, and improve the impact strength and mechanical processing performance of composite materials. The use of hollow glass microspheres in the pultrusion process can reduce the amount of resin and fiberglass used. Adding 8% hollow glass microspheres can reduce the amount of glass fiber used by more than 15%. In addition to reducing weight, it can also improve the physical, dielectric, and insulation properties of the product. In addition, another advantage is that it can act as a lubricant in the resin system, increasing the extrusion speed by 25% to 70%.
7. Other resin systems
In addition to being added to polyester, hollow glass beads can also be added to epoxy resin to make synthetic foam plastic blocks. The epoxy/glass bead synthetic foam has been successfully applied to the rudder in the United States. The foam plastic block is used as the core material of the rudder and the surface layer is glass fiber reinforced plastic. Compared with polyester, epoxy can significantly increase its strength while reducing weight. The data measured in the laboratory indicates that the ship rudder made of this material can withstand a bending load of up to 2500kg, which is three times the strength of engineering plastic ABS. In Germany, foam plastic blocks composed of polyimide resin and hollow glass beads are also used to make rudder, which is used on a 12.5m long, 55kg sailboat. Rigid polyimide foam blocks have been successfully used in structural materials. This structure can improve its compression, bending strength and modulus, and dimensional stability at high temperature.
Other application areas:
(1) Electronic industry, used for casting and sealing composite materials.
(2) Composite foam plastic block, used for hull and deck, deepwater floating body materials, etc.
(3) Sound insulation and insulation materials, used for various precision instruments, high-end buildings and facilities.
(4) Lightweight concrete, gypsum products, rubber products.

Glass bubbles, also known as glass microspheres or hollow glass spheres, are lightweight, hollow micro-sized particles made from glass. They are often used in various industries, including civil engineering, due to their unique properties. Here’s how glass bubbles are relevant to civil engineering:

1. Lightweight Fillers: Glass bubbles have a low density, making them excellent lightweight fillers for materials like concrete and composites. When added to concrete mixes, they can reduce the overall weight of the concrete without sacrificing its structural integrity.
2. Thermal Insulation: Due to their hollow structure, glass bubbles provide thermal insulation properties. They can be used in construction materials to improve the thermal performance of buildings, reducing heat transfer through walls and other structures.
3. Low-Density Concrete: Glass bubbles can be incorporated into concrete mixes to produce low-density concrete, which is useful for applications where weight reduction is important, such as in bridge decks, floating structures, and architectural elements.
4. Improved Workability: Adding glass bubbles to concrete mixes can enhance workability, making it easier to pump, place, and finish the concrete. The reduced density and improved flow properties can lead to more efficient construction processes.
5. Reduced Shrinkage and Cracking: The inclusion of glass bubbles in concrete mixes can help reduce shrinkage and cracking tendencies by providing a more stable mixture and reducing internal stresses as the material cures.
6. Lightweight Mortars and Plasters: In addition to concrete, glass bubbles can be incorporated into lightweight mortars and plasters for wall finishes, offering both weight reduction and improved thermal insulation.
7. Buoyant Structures: Glass bubble-enhanced materials are often used in constructing buoyant structures such as floating docks, pontoons, and other marine applications due to their ability to reduce the weight of the structure.
8. Abrasive Blasting: In addition to construction applications, glass bubbles are used in abrasive blasting processes, where they can be used as a less aggressive alternative to other blasting media, reducing surface damage.

When considering the use of glass bubbles in civil engineering projects, it’s important to work with suppliers and manufacturers who can provide guidance on proper material selection, mixture ratios, and testing procedures to ensure the desired performance and durability of the final product. Additionally, engineers and construction professionals should conduct thorough testing and analysis to determine the best methods for incorporating glass bubbles into their specific applications.

Glass bubbles etched with tunable sizes refer to microspheres or microbubbles made from glass that have been selectively etched or modified to achieve specific sizes, often for various scientific, industrial, and technological applications. These glass microspheres or microbubbles can be engineered to have precise dimensions, making them valuable tools in fields such as optics, materials science, biotechnology, and more.

Here are some key points about glass bubbles etched with tunable sizes:

1. Fabrication Process: The fabrication process of these glass bubbles involves starting with glass microspheres of a certain size and then selectively etching or modifying them to achieve the desired size. Etching can be performed using chemical or physical methods to remove layers of glass, resulting in controlled size reduction.

2. Tunable Sizes: The tunability of the sizes refers to the ability to adjust the dimensions of the glass bubbles according to specific requirements. This can be achieved through precise control of the etching process parameters.

3. Applications: Glass bubbles with tunable sizes have a wide range of applications:

• Optics: These microspheres can be used in optics as lenses, filters, or resonators due to their precisely controlled dimensions.
• Materials Science: They can be used as additives to create lightweight and strong composites, improving materials’ properties.
• Biotechnology: Glass microbubbles can be used as carriers for drug delivery, imaging agents, or contrast agents in medical applications.
• Sensors: Microspheres can act as sensors by responding to changes in their environment, such as temperature or pressure.
• Inks and Coatings: They can be incorporated into inks and coatings to enhance their properties.
• Research: Glass microspheres are often used in scientific research for studying fluid dynamics, particle behavior, and more.

4. Optical Properties: Depending on the composition and size, these glass microspheres can exhibit unique optical properties, such as resonance effects, scattering, and diffraction, which can be exploited for various applications.

5. Material Composition: The glass used in these bubbles can vary in composition, which can affect their properties. For example, borosilicate glass, quartz, or other specialty glasses might be used depending on the desired characteristics.

6. Surface Modifications: Beyond size, the surface of these glass bubbles can also be modified or functionalized to enhance properties such as stability, compatibility, and reactivity.

7. Customization: Manufacturers often offer customization options to tailor the glass bubbles to specific application needs. This might include adjusting size ranges, coatings, and surface functionalities.

Glass bubbles etched with tunable sizes are engineered microspheres or microbubbles made from glass that have been selectively etched to achieve specific dimensions. These versatile structures find applications in diverse fields due to their controlled properties and tunable sizes.

Hollow glass microspheres (HGMs) are lightweight, spherical particles that are primarily composed of glass and possess a hollow interior. They are often used as additives in various materials to enhance their properties. When incorporated into polypropylene (PP) materials, hollow glass microspheres can have several applications and benefits:

1. Weight Reduction: One of the primary advantages of using hollow glass microspheres in polypropylene is the reduction in material weight. HGMs are lightweight, so incorporating them into PP can significantly decrease the overall weight of the final product. This is especially useful in industries where lightweight materials are essential, such as automotive and aerospace.
2. Improved Mechanical Properties: By adding HGMs to polypropylene, the resulting composite can exhibit improved mechanical properties, including stiffness and strength. The microspheres act as reinforcements, distributing stress more evenly across the material and enhancing its structural integrity.
3. Thermal Insulation: Hollow glass microspheres have low thermal conductivity due to the air trapped within their hollow structure. When added to polypropylene, they can improve the material’s thermal insulation properties. This is useful in applications where temperature control or insulation is important, such as building materials.
4. Dimensional Stability: The incorporation of HGMs in polypropylene can reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion, leading to improved dimensional stability. This is beneficial in applications where maintaining precise dimensions over a range of temperatures is crucial.
5. Reduced Density and Improved Floatation: When HGMs are added to polypropylene, the resulting composite can have reduced density, making it more buoyant. This property is advantageous in applications where buoyancy is required, such as marine equipment and water-resistant products.
6. Improved Rheological Properties: The addition of HGMs can influence the rheological behavior of the polypropylene melt, affecting its viscosity, flowability, and processability during manufacturing processes like injection molding and extrusion.
7. Sound and Vibration Damping: Hollow glass microspheres can contribute to sound and vibration damping in polypropylene composites. This is valuable in applications where noise reduction or vibration absorption is desired, such as automotive interiors.
8. Electromagnetic Shielding: HGMs can be coated with conductive materials to provide electromagnetic shielding properties to polypropylene. This is useful in applications where protection against electromagnetic interference is essential, such as electronics enclosures.
9. Cost Optimization: While the initial cost of hollow glass microspheres might be higher than other additives, their low density allows for significant volume displacement. This can lead to material cost savings in the long run.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of incorporating hollow glass microspheres into polypropylene materials depends on factors such as particle size, loading percentage, and processing techniques. Proper dispersion and compatibility between the microspheres and the polymer matrix are also critical for achieving the desired material properties.

In summary, hollow glass microspheres can bring multiple benefits to polypropylene materials, making them versatile and valuable additives for various applications across different industries.

Glass bubbles, also known as glass microspheres or hollow glass spheres, can be used as additional thermal insulation in various applications. These lightweight and hollow microspheres are often made from glass materials and have a wide range of sizes, which allows them to be integrated into materials to enhance their thermal insulation properties. Here’s how glass bubbles can be used for additional thermal insulation:

1. Construction Materials: Glass bubbles can be incorporated into construction materials such as concrete, plaster, and coatings to improve their thermal insulation capabilities. By adding glass bubbles to these materials, the overall thermal conductivity is reduced, resulting in better insulation and energy efficiency for buildings.
2. Polymer Composites: Glass bubbles can be mixed with polymers to create lightweight composite materials with improved thermal insulation properties. These composites can be used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods, where both thermal insulation and weight reduction are desired.
3. Insulating Paints and Coatings: Glass bubbles can be added to paints and coatings to create insulating layers that can be applied to walls, roofs, or other surfaces. These coatings provide an extra barrier against heat transfer and help regulate indoor temperatures.
4. Thermal Insulating Fillers: Glass bubbles can serve as fillers in insulation materials, such as foams and board products. When incorporated into these materials, glass bubbles create air pockets that reduce heat conduction and enhance overall insulation performance.
5. Packaging Materials: In the packaging industry, glass bubbles can be integrated into packaging materials to provide thermal protection for temperature-sensitive products during transportation and storage.
6. Cryogenic Applications: Glass bubbles can also be used in extreme low-temperature environments, such as cryogenic applications. They can act as insulating materials in cryogenic storage tanks, pipes, and containers.
7. Oil and Gas Industry: Glass bubbles can be used in thermal insulation coatings for pipelines and equipment used in the oil and gas industry. This helps prevent heat loss or gain, enhancing the efficiency of energy transport and storage.
8. Textiles and Clothing: Glass bubbles can be applied to textiles and clothing to improve their thermal insulation properties. This could be especially useful in specialized protective clothing or outdoor gear.

The use of glass bubbles as additional thermal insulation offers benefits such as reduced energy consumption, improved temperature control, and enhanced comfort. It’s important to consider the specific requirements of the application, as well as the compatibility of glass bubbles with the base material, before incorporating them into a product or material. Proper testing and engineering considerations are essential to ensure that the desired thermal insulation goals are achieved effectively.

Fiberglass: Thin fibers of glass that provide strength and reinforcement to the composite.

Glass Bubbles (Glass Microspheres): Tiny, hollow glass spheres that reduce the overall density of the composite.

Resin: A polymer matrix that binds the fiberglass and glass bubbles together, providing cohesion and protection to the composite.

The resulting composite could potentially have a lower density compared to traditional fiberglass composites, while still maintaining some level of strength and structural integrity. It might find applications where weight reduction is crucial without sacrificing essential mechanical properties.

It’s important to note that specific formulations and properties of such composite materials would depend on the intended application and the specific characteristics of the fiberglass, glass bubbles, and resin used.