Special Additive for building materials: New 3M Glass Bubbles S28HS

The multi-technology company 3M has developed a new solution for the building industry: The lightweight filler 3M Glass Bubbles S28HS has a positive effect on paints, varnishes and plasters. 3M is thus offering new possibilities for the manufacture and use of building materials.

Hollow, spherical and glass – simply speaking, these are the three main features of the 3M Glass Bubbles. It is these properties that make the lightweight filler so attractive for the building industry, because the partial vacuum in the Glass Bubbles helps to make the product lighter and to improve thermal and acoustic insulation. Their spherical shape reduces shrinkage and susceptibility to cracking. Made of a high-quality borosilicate glass the Glass Bubbles can be added to almost any formulation as a 100 percent mineral lightweight filler.

Applications in the building industry

The use of hollow glass microspheres improves the properties of paints, varnishes and plasters. For instance, they are applied in building materials to lower density and to reduce thermal conductivity. In building practice, this means: the use of 3M Glass Bubbles in the exterior plaster results in outstanding thermal insulation and excellent processing properties. They enable energy-optimised facades that are protected against wind and weather. Because of their higher heat capacity in comparison to expanded polystyrene (EPS), for example, the hollow glass spheres additionally help to avoid algae and mould growth. The Glass Bubbles also convince for use in varnishes and paints in the interior: they promote a better room climate, because their addition causes a higher and constant wall temperature.

Smooth processing with airless spray method

Due to their unique ratio of strength to density, fluids and pastes containing the special 3M Glass Bubbles S28HS are also suitable for the airless spray method. The airless spray method frequently used in handcrafts and industry requires a high process pressure that the 3M Glass Bubbles S28HS can withstand. Thus, Glass Bubbles support a high yield and simple processing.

Further applications of the functional hollow glass spheres in the building industry are, for example, wall filler, window profiles, concrete or adhesives.

More Information at www.3M.de/GlassBubbles.