MICROSPHERE APPLICATIONS

The applications of microspheres are multiple and allow the final product to improve its properties.

Glass microspheres are additives with a multitude of applications that are used mainly to reduce the weight and density of products, to dampen sound, to protect against falls and for electrical and thermal insulating properties. Furthermore, by decreasing the weight and density of the products, the microspheres provide another notable advantage such as reducing the cost of these microsphere-containing products.

The applications of microspheres, as they has already been mentioned, are multiple. Here are different materials and situations where microspheres can be used:

• Coatings and paints: used in thermal insulating paints, anti-condensation paints, as an emulsifier in paints, such as roof and wall coatings and in acrylic sealants, among others.
• Cultured marbles or synthetic marbles: used in a mixture of calcium carbonate with resins to reduce weight and obtain an improvement in thermal cracking.
• Resins and molds: used in non-reactive solvents for epoxy resins and in molds and matrices.
• Construction: used in Sandwich panels, in Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP), in concrete and cements and in refractory materials.
• Nautical and aeronautical fabrications: for caulking and sealing, for fairing components and in “gelcoat” for finishes.
• Explosives: used to reduce the density, the critical diameter and increase the detonation velocity and pressure.
• Plasticizers: to provide high temperature tolerance, to improve electrical properties, for powdered polyester laminates and for polypropylene foam.
• Synthetic woods: used to improve the appearance of the finish and improve its resistance. Also to reduce the price and weight per unit of volume.
• Adhesives: for weight reduction, sound deadening, protection against falls and improving the properties as electrical and thermal insulation.

At Sercalia we present below the most common applications of microspheres and their specifications.