Close
Maximize material performance and processing efficiency with 3M™ Hollow Glass Microspheres—precision-engineered, low-density spherical additives that deliver superior strength-to-weight ratios, enhanced dimensional stability, thermal insulation properties, and optimized rheological characteristics across diverse industrial formulations. Utilizing state-of-the-art borosilicate glass manufacturing processes, 3M Hollow Glass Microspheres feature thin-walled, hollow soda-lime borosilicate glass particles with precisely controlled particle size distribution, bulk density characteristics, isostatic crush strength, and uniform spherical particle geometry ensuring consistent flow properties.
The uniform spherical morphology of 3M Glass Microspheres provides reduced viscosity in liquid formulations, lower resin consumption compared to irregular mineral fillers, enhanced flow characteristics during mixing and application, and improved dispersion uniformity throughout polymer matrices. This advanced filler technology enables manufacturers across mining explosives, coatings, sealants, construction, infrastructure, oil & gas, automotive, aerospace, marine, and industrial sectors to achieve lightweight formulation objectives without mechanical property degradation while improving thermal insulation, dimensional stability, and reducing shrinkage in curing systems.
Utilizing state-of-the-art borosilicate glass manufacturing processes, 3M Hollow Glass Microspheres feature thin-walled, hollow soda-lime borosilicate glass particles with precisely controlled:
Unlock superior anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal performance with BIOX Made In Japan Anti-Microbial Additives, a next-generation solution designed for plastics, coatings, textiles, construction materials, adhesives, inks, sealants, and hygiene surfaces.
Powered by a synergistic blend of Silver-Zeolite, Silver-Ion Technology, and Quaternary Silane (Q-Silane) chemistry, the BIOX series delivers broad-spectrum microbial protection while ensuring long-term durability, surface compatibility, and safe, non-leaching performance.
As industries move toward high-performance hygiene materials due to rising regulatory and safety expectations, our BIOX anti-microbial additive series provides unmatched protection against bacteria, fungi, molds, algae, viruses, and odor-forming microbes—without compromising mechanical, thermal, or aesthetic properties.
K-1 Hollow Glass Microspheres are ultra-lightweight, thin-walled, closed-cell (hermetic) spherical glass particles engineered to deliver maximum weight reduction (lightweighting) in a wide range of construction, polymer, composite and specialty material applications.
K-15 Hollow Glass Microspheres are low-density, hollow spherical glass particles engineered to provide an optimal balance between weight reduction and mechanical strength
K-37 Hollow Glass Microspheres are medium-density, hollow spherical glass particles designed to deliver an excellent balance of mechanical strength, durability and weight reduction.
S28HS Hollow Glass Microspheres are high-strength, hollow spherical glass particles engineered for applications that demand superior mechanical integrity, pressure resistance and long-term durability, while still achieving meaningful weight reduction.
iM16K Hollow Glass Microspheres are very high-strength, hollow spherical glass particles engineered for applications exposed to extreme pressure, high mechanical stress and harsh operating environments.
iM30K Hollow Glass Microspheres are ultra-high strength, hollow spherical glass particles engineered for the most extreme pressure, load-bearing and mechanically demanding applications.
3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 are ultra-low density, high-strength hollow glass microspheres manufactured from water-resistant and chemically stable soda-lime borosilicate glass.
3M Hollow Glass Microspheres
Ultra-low density particles (0.12–0.60 g/cc)
Enables major weight reduction in finished products
Ideal for lightweight concrete, polymers, coatings and composites
Conventional Fillers
High density (CaCO₃ ~2.7, Talc ~2.8, Silica ~2.6 g/cc)
Increase overall formulation weight
Limited or no lightweighting benefit
3M Hollow Glass Microspheres
High crush strength grades available (up to 30,000 psi)
Maintain mechanical integrity even at reduced density
Suitable for high-stress environments (oil & gas, automotive, mining)
Conventional Fillers
Provide bulk and stiffness but add significant weight
Limited structural efficiency per unit weight
3M Hollow Glass Microspheres
Perfectly spherical morphology
Improves flow, leveling and packing efficiency
Reduces internal friction during processing
Conventional Fillers
Irregular or plate-like particles (talc, kaolin)
Increase inter-particle friction and viscosity
Can negatively impact flow and workability
GFLAM™ provides high flame retardancy without sacrificing strength, flexibility, thermal stability, or appearance—a key advantage over mineral-heavy systems like ATH or MDH.
GFLAM™ supports compliance with:
UL-94 (V-0 / V-1)
Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI)
Glow Wire & IEC standards
RoHS & REACH regulations
This ensures global acceptance across regulated markets.
The synergistic APP–MP–Zinc Borate system minimizes:
Flaming drips
Afterglow combustion
Secondary ignition risks
Resulting in safer evacuation time and lower fire escalation.
GFLAM™ is available in tailor-made grades optimized for:
Plastics & polymer compounding
Intumescent coatings
Cable & LSZH formulations
Construction & insulation materials
Lightweight concrete, cementitious grouts and repair mortars
Precast panels, architectural elements and facade systems
Flooring underlayments, screeds and insulation layers
Waterproofing membranes, roof coatings and thermal barrier systems
Primary and secondary cementing slurries for oil and gas wells
Lightweight drilling, completion and workover fluids
Reduced hydrostatic pressure and improved slurry stability in deep and ultra-deep wells
Density reduction in bulk emulsion explosives and ANFO formulations
Improved pumpability, stability and energy distribution in explosive systems
Controlled detonation performance with optimized blast efficiency
Reduction in explosive consumption while maintaining fragmentation quality
Thermoplastic compounds (PP, PE, PVC, ABS, PA) for lightweight molded parts
Thermoset systems including epoxy, polyester and vinyl ester resins
Improved melt flow, reduced viscosity and enhanced filler dispersion
Dimensional stability and shrinkage control in molded and cast components
Lightweight structural and non-structural adhesive formulations
Sealants for construction, automotive and industrial applications
Improved sag resistance, gap filling and volume build
Density reduction without compromising bond strength and durability
Industrial, protective and insulating coatings
Lightweight fillers for thermal insulation and sound dampening
Improved film build, application efficiency and reduced coating density
Lightweight automotive body panels and structural components
Underbody plastisol formulations for improved stone-chip resistance and thickness build
Polyester putties and body fillers for reduced shrinkage, easy sanding and superior surface finish
Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) damping compounds
Marine buoyancy modules, syntactic foams and flotation materials
Tooling boards, industrial castings and vibration-damping components
Lightweight composite components for sporting equipment
Improved strength-to-weight ratio in helmets, bats and protective gear
Enhanced impact resistance and shock absorption
Better balance, performance and user comfort
Applications:
Lightweight concrete, cementitious grouts, repair mortars, precast panels, architectural facades, screeds, roof insulation systems, waterproofing compounds, bridge decks and non-structural structural elements where weight reduction and durability are critical.
Applications:
Oil & gas well cementing slurries, lightweight drilling fluids, completion and workover fluids, deep and ultra-deep well operations, reduced hydrostatic pressure systems, syntactic foams for subsea buoyancy modules and pipeline insulation.
Applications:
Bulk emulsion explosives, ANFO formulations, pumpable explosive systems, controlled blasting operations, energy-balanced detonation systems, improved stability and reduced explosive consumption without loss of blasting efficiency.
Applications:
Thermoplastic compounds (PP, PE, PVC, ABS, PA), thermoset resins (epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester), injection molded parts, extrusion profiles, rotational molding, masterbatches and engineered polymer components requiring reduced density and improved flow.
Applications:
Construction adhesives, automotive sealants, PU and MS polymer sealants, polyester putties, body fillers, gap-filling compounds, crack repair systems, low-density sealants with enhanced sanding, finishing and dimensional stability.
Applications:
Industrial coatings, protective coatings, insulating paints, fire-retardant coatings, marine coatings, thermal barrier coatings, sound-dampening coatings, corrosion-protection systems where reduced density and improved film build are required.
Applications:
Underbody plastisol coatings, polyester putties and body fillers, lightweight composite panels, NVH damping compounds, interior and exterior automotive parts, electric vehicle components where lightweighting improves efficiency and range.
Applications:
Syntactic foams, buoyancy modules, flotation devices, lightweight composite panels, aerospace tooling boards, radomes, structural fillers for marine and defense-grade composite systems.
Applications:
Lightweight sporting equipment components, helmets, protective gear, bats, boards, performance composites, shock-absorbing structures with improved strength-to-weight ratio and user comfort.
Applications:
Tooling boards, molds, patterns, industrial castings, prototype parts, vibration-damping components, lightweight machinable structures for manufacturing and R&D environments.
Applications:
Appliance housings, electronic enclosures, insulating panels, lightweight structural parts, consumer durable components requiring improved dimensional stability and thermal insulation.
Applications:
PU foams, elastomeric compounds, flexible and rigid foams, vibration isolation parts, footwear components, cushioning systems and industrial rubber goods requiring controlled density and enhanced processing behavior.
Applications:
Protective packaging materials, lightweight panels, specialty boards, cushioning structures, material reduction solutions supporting sustainability and transportation cost savings.
| Parameter | GFLAM™ (APP+MP+ZB Intumescent / Halogen-Free) | ATH (Aluminium Trihydrate) | MDH (Magnesium Hydroxide) | Brominated FR (Halogenated) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Type | Halogen-free intumescent + synergistic char former | Mineral FR (endothermic, releases water) | Mineral FR (endothermic, releases water) | Halogenated radical-quenching flame inhibition |
| Primary Mechanism | Char / intumescent barrier blocks heat & oxygen | Cooling + dilution via water release | Cooling + dilution via water release | Gas-phase flame inhibition |
| Smoke & Toxicity | Low smoke / lower toxicity | Low smoke | Low smoke | Higher smoke / toxic & corrosive gases |
| Typical Loading (Dosage) | Moderate (lower than ATH/MDH for same rating) | High (very high filler loading) | High (sometimes lower than ATH) | Low to moderate |
| Effect on Mechanical Properties | Better retention vs high mineral loading | Reduced strength & flexibility | Property reduction due to loading | Good at low loading, system-dependent |
| Impact on Density / Weight | Moderate impact | Significant weight increase | Significant weight increase | Low impact |
| Processing / Flow | Good – application-tuned blends | Higher viscosity, reduced flow | Better than ATH, still affects flow | Generally good, careful control needed |
| Thermal Stability (Processing) | Good (grade-dependent) | Lower decomposition onset | Higher than ATH | Generally good, resin-dependent |
| Dripping / Afterglow Control | Good (char + ZB synergy) | Moderate | Moderate | Dripping possible unless synergized |
| Electrical / Cable Suitability | Excellent for LSZH / HFFR | LSZH, but high loading required | LSZH, better high-temp stability | Not preferred for LSZH |
| Corrosion Risk | Low | Low | Low | Potentially high |
| Regulatory / Sustainability Trend | Strongly preferred | Preferred, loading trade-off | Preferred, loading trade-off | Under increasing pressure |
| Best Fit Applications | Coatings, plastics, cables, construction, foams, sealants | Wire & cable, polyolefins | High-temp cables & polyolefins | High FR at low loading (legacy systems) |