Hollow Glass Beads (Hollow Glass)

Hollow glass microspheres are manufactured from recycled soda glass that is melted at 1100˚C and filled with gas derived from a special chemical compound with expansion properties. As the glass begins to cool, a hard shell forms on its exterior. Production takes two basic forms: bottom-feed or top-feed systems. Beyond these systems, additional production techniques exist. Hollow microspheres, which have very low density, are lightweight fillers. Due to their light weight and their provision of good thermal and acoustic insulation, they are frequently used in insulating paint systems. Because they adapt to thermal changes, they can be used in engineered stone countertop production. Their volume, when compared with other mineral fillers of the same weight, differs from that occupied by hollow glass microspheres. They occupy 4-5 times greater volume than mineral fillers of equivalent weight.         Hollow glass microspheres are preferred in repair putties where volume is critical. Because they do not increase the viscosity of the resin system they are incorporated into, the putty enables rapid application and uniform surface finishing followed by fast sanding. Similarly, in the automotive sector, in composite part production using the SMC method, they are preferred because they maintain equivalent strength values while providing lightness and Class A surface finish.   Applications: • Composite Materials (SMC, BMC, RTM, Pultrusion), • Automotive and Marine Repair Putties, • Adhesives, • Liquid Sealants, • Paints and Coatings, • Molding and Industrial Explosives. Recai Turan - Mechanical Engineer - Product Manager - Omnis Kompozit San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti.