The composites industry is an application of hollow glass microspheres that consumes the greatest amount by volume. Many of these hollow glass microspheres are lightweight hollow glass or ceramic spheres that are added to binder material to create products with the lowest possible weight.
Integration of hollow glass microspheres into composite parts increases the ease of applications and mixing. The ball-bearing effect improves flow and lowers the viscosity of resin mixes, which significantly simplifies processability, resulting in easier machinability, faster cycle times and cost savings. The smooth, spherical shape of hollow glass microspheres allows even dispersion and packing efficiency. Hollow glass microspheres can be used in most processing methods for thermoset and thermoplastic polymers such as extrusion and injection molding. They blend easily into compounds, which makes them adaptable to a variety of production processes, including spraying and casting.
Hollow glass microspheres provide weight reduction and resin extension in aerospace, automotive, construction, explosive, marine, coating, abrasive, film industry and sporting goods applications.