3M and Zeelan Industries, Inc.

Microspheres
Microspheres engineered for a wide choice of unique enhancements...

Zeeospheres  Ceramic
Microspheres from Zeelan 3M  Scotchlite Glass Z-Light Spheres 
Industries, Inc. — fine Bubbles specially Ceramic Microspheres
particles with hard, thick formulated for highest from Zeelan Industries,
walls for very high strength. strength to weight ratio. Inc. — off-white, low
Lightweight but with the density microspheres
strength for processing with lower cost for utility
survival. applications.

Spherical simplicity to help solve complex problems

Competition, increasing materials cost, higher customer expectations, Unlike irregularly shaped fillers, microspheres roll easily over one
environmental regulations these and other factors combine to
— another.
pressure you with complex problems in design, production and
marketing. Depending on your application, there are also other possible benefits.
For example, in molded plastics, microspheres
But with the microsphere technologies of 3M and Zeelan Industries, can help reduce warpage. Note the many
Inc. you have a resource for engineered microspheres and service to possible enhancements on the table below.
help solve or avoid many problems.
Even though the sphere is nature’s simplest shape, as an engineered
microsphere it can help you reduce costs, enhance properties and
improve processability.
Cost effective per unit volume
Higher filler loading
Lightweight microspheres occupy more space than an equal weight of
With the lowest surface area to volume ratio of any typical mineral filler. This means that when
shape, microspheres increase volume loading you consider cost per unit volume instead of
capacity. That can mean higher solids/reduced VOCs, cost per pound, microspheres can be a cost
reduced shrinkage, and reduced cost through lower effective choice in many applications.
resin demand in certain applications. Especially when you factor in the
Lower viscosity and improved flow enhancements possible with microsphere
technology.
Your choice...

As an engineered technology, 3M and Zeelan Industries microspheres provide a wide choice of unique enhancements. Select from a
range of microsphere characteristics (see chart on next page) to help you meet specific processing and end use requirements.

Potential enhancement Microsphere considerations

Abrasion resistance Zeeospheres Ceramic Microspheres
Chemical stability Any microsphere in this brochure
Corrosion resistance Zeeospheres Ceramic Microspheres
Explosive sensitization Scotchlite Glass Bubbles
Gloss control Zeeospheres Ceramic Microspheres
Hardness Zeeospheres Ceramic Microspheres
High filler loading Any microsphere in this brochure
Low viscosity Any microsphere in this brochure
Reduced dielectric constant Scotchlite Glass Bubbles
Reduced warpage/shrinkage Any microsphere in this brochure
Sandability/machinability Scotchlite Glass Bubbles or
Z-Light Spheres Ceramic Microspheres
Temp resistance up to 2200°F Zeeospheres, Z-Light Spheres Microspheres
Thermal insulation Scotchlite Glass Bubbles or
Z-Light Spheres Ceramic Microspheres
Water resistance Any microsphere in this brochure
Weight reduction Scotchlite Glass Bubbles or
Z-Light Spheres Ceramic Microspheres

In automotive applications, Scotchlite Glass Bubbles can help provide cost-effective weight reduction in scalers, adhesives and
molded plastic parts including SMC, BMC, RIM, and thermoplastics.

In high solids industrial coatings

Zeeospheres Ceramic Microspheres can help reduce VOCs, and help improve hardness, corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance,
and sprayability.
3M Scotchlite Compositi Isostatic Crush True Median Size range Color pH Comments Application Ideas
Glass Bubbles on Strength Density size (microns) (unaided
General Purpose (90% survival, (g/cc) by volume eye)
Series psi) (microns)
K1 Soda-lime- 250 0.125 70 15-125 white 9.5 Most economical 3M glass
bubble Bowling balls, cast polyester, caulk, explosives,
K15 borosilicate 300 0.15 70 15-125 white 9.5 polyester putty, sealants, shallow water pipe
S15 glass 300 0.15 55 11-125 white 9.5 Smaller version of K 15 insulation, spackling compound, and RTM.
S22 400 0.22 40 6-125 white 9.5 Small particle size
K20 500 0.20 60 11-125 white 9.5
K25 750 0.25 55 11-125 white 9.5
S32 2000 0.32 45 8-125 white 9.5
K37 3000 0.37 50 8-125 white 9.5 BMC, deep sea pipe insulation, golf balls, RIM,
S38 4000 0.38 45 8-88 white 9.5 Low cost version of SMC, pultrusion, sprayable PVC sealer,
B38/4000 sprayable syntactic foam, spray-up/lay-up, and
B38/4000 4000 0.38 45 8-88 white 9.5 thermoplastics.
K46 4000 0.46 50 8-125 white 9.5
S60/10,000 10,000 0.60 30 6-88 white 9.5 Designed for extrusion
processing
Floated Series
A16/500 Soda-lime- 500 0.16 50 16-250 white 9.5 MCC* surface treatment
A20/1000 borosilicate 1000 0.20 60 22-250 white 9.5 MCC* surface treatment
H20/1000 glass 1000 0.20 60 22-250 white 9.5 Epoxy silane surface Aerospace and hydrospace syntactic foams,
treatment potting compounds and radomes; and printed
D32/4500 4500 0.32 35 6-88 white 9.5 MCC* surface treatment wire boards.
H50/10,000 EPX 10,000 0.50 30 6-125 white 9.5 Epoxy silane surface
treatment
Zeelan Industries, Inc.
Z-Light Spheres Microspheres
G-3400 Silica- 2000 0.7 110 10-210 gray 7
G-3500 alumina 2000 0.7 125 10-350 gray 7
W-1000 ceramic 3500 0.7 86 10-150 off-white 7 Preferred for cultured Bowling balls, cultured marble, oil well cements,
marble plywood patch, roof coatings, refractoiy
W-1012 3500 0.7 57 10-125 off-white 7 materials, grinding wheels, lightweight cement,
W-1100 3500 0.7 94 10-180 off-white 7 polymer concrete, exterior insulating finishes,
W-1200 3500 0.7 120 10-210 off-white 7 and synthetic stucco.
W-1300 3500 0.7 125 10-350 off-white 7 Most economical Z-Light
Spheres Microsphere
W-1600 3500 0.7 173 150-350 off-white 7
Zeeospheres
Microspheres
G-200 Silica- >60,000 2.5 4.4 0.3-12 gray 4-7 Finest standard product,
least gloss reduction Industrial paints, film anti-block, and powder
G-400 alumina >60,000 2.4 5.3 0.3-24 gray 4-7 6 Hegman grind coatings.
G-600 >60,000 2.3 7.8 0.3-44 gray 4-7 325 mesh Maintenance paints and adhesives.
G-800 >60,000 2.2 23 0.3-225 gray 4-7 Lowest cost/pound, broad
distribution Polymer concrete, textured coatings and epoxy
G-850 >60,000 2.1 46 10-225 gray 4-7 Fewer fines than G-800 grouts.

NOTE: Technical information and data shown here should be considered representative or typical only and should not be used for specification purposes. Refer to product data
ages for additional technical information. * MCC — Methacrylaic Chromic Chloride
Problem-solving for many industries
Microsphere technology can help solve problems in many industries. For example, it can help reduce the dielectric constant in PWBs. Enhance
features in sporting goods. Reduce weight in aircraft in syntactic foam. Optimize sensitization in emulsion explosives. Reduce cracking and
shrinkage in spackling compound.
And here are just a few more of the many demonstrated application ideas:
• Building materials: caulks, adhesives, insulative coatings, cultured marble, mastics, paints, and roof coatings.
• Lightweight plastics: injection molded thermoplastics, SMC, BMC, RIM, RTM, and pultrusion.
• Aerospace and marine composites, potting compounds and radomes.
Other application ideas range from oil field drilling cements to trailer liner panels; film anti-block to flotation devices and autobody putty.

Reduced dielectric constant for PWBs.

Variety of sporting goods enhancements.

Explosives with increased detonation

velocity.

Spackling compound that resist cracking.

Beyond microspheres...
technical support and worldwide service
It can take more than quality products to help you solve complex problems. That’s why 3M and Zeelan Industries also provide technical
support, a proven global service network, and ongoing R&D to meet your ever-evolving needs.

Technical support

Our technical support team offers the expertise and depth of 3M and Zeelan Industries. Together with our technically trained distributor
network, we field the largest team in the industry to help you solve problems, optimize formulations and simplify material handling.

Global service

3M and Zeelan Industries have resources worldwide to help service your company wherever necessary.

R&D... expanding our capabilities to serve you

With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, 3M R&D takes you beyond our current microsphere technology
• Microencapsulation
• Surface treated products
• Metal coated products.

For further information or sales assistance, contact 3M Specialty Additives —

612-733-0306 • Fax 612-736-4133

In Canada, 519-451-2500. In Puerto Rico, 809-750-3000.

Zeelan Industries, Inc.

Zeelan Industries, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3M.

612-737-1751 • Fax 612-737-1764

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PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
User is responsible for determining whether the 3M product is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user’s method of application.
LIMITATION OF REMEDIES AND LIABILITY: If the 3M product is proved to be defective, THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, AT 3M’S OPTION, SHALL BE TO REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF OR TO
REPAIR OR REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE 3M PRODUCT. 3M shall not otherwise be liable for loss or damages, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential, regardless of the legal theory
asserted, including negligence, warranty, or strict liability.

Specialty Additives
3M Center Bldg. 220-8E-04 St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
Zeelan Industries, Inc.
3M Center Bldg. 220-8E-04 St. Paul, MN 55 144-1000