When comparing hollow glass bubbles (also known as glass microspheres) with other materials, several key properties should be considered. Here's a fast product comparison of hollow glass bubbles against some common materials:
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Density: Hollow glass bubbles have an incredibly low density, typically ranging from 0.15 to 0.60 g/cm³. This makes them much lighter than most materials, including traditional fillers like talc, calcium carbonate, or glass fibers.
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Strength: Hollow glass bubbles are not as strong as structural materials like fiberglass or carbon fiber. They are used primarily for their lightweight properties and are not intended to provide significant structural strength on their own.
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Thermal Conductivity: Glass microspheres offer low thermal conductivity, making them suitable for applications where thermal insulation is required.
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Compressive Strength: When compared to traditional fillers, hollow glass bubbles tend to have lower compressive strength, which may limit their use in load-bearing applications.
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Chemical Resistance: Glass microspheres have excellent chemical resistance, ensuring their stability and performance in various environments.
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Thermal Stability: Hollow glass bubbles can withstand high temperatures, making them suitable for applications requiring heat resistance.
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Particle Size: Hollow glass bubbles come in various particle sizes, which allows for tailoring their use in different materials and applications.
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Cost: The cost of hollow glass bubbles can vary depending on the specific grade and application. In some cases, they may be more expensive than traditional fillers.
Applications:
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Hollow glass bubbles are commonly used as lightweight fillers in plastics, composites, and coatings to reduce weight while maintaining volume and improving mechanical properties.
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They are utilized in syntactic foams for buoyancy applications, like underwater equipment and marine industries.
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Hollow glass microspheres are also employed in the aerospace industry for their lightweight and thermal insulating properties.
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In the construction sector, they can be added to construction materials such as cement and concrete to reduce weight and enhance thermal insulation.