3M™ Glass Bubbles K37 are hollow microspheres made of soda-lime borosilicate glass with a true density of 0.37 g/cm³ and an isostatic crush strength of 3000 psi / 210 bar.
Picking the right additive can enhance product performance, reduce resin demand and add customer value. Our 3M™ Glass Bubbles (PDF, 82.47 Kb) K37 are engineered hollow glass spheres made from water-resistant and chemically stable soda-lime borosilicate glass.Like all 3M glass bubbles, our K37 glass bubbles are water and oil resistant, making them useable in a variety of production processes. Additionally, they are non-combustible and non-porous, so they do not absorb resin; and their low alkalinity makes this product compatible with most resins while provide a stable viscosity and long shelf life.
These glass bubbles can be added to a variety of coatings, including — architectural and industrial caulks, adhesives and coatings. When added to paint formulations, our 3M glass bubbles K37 help deliver durable goods to your customers, helping to protect painted surfaces against wear and tear. When added to spackling compounds, 3M glass bubbles allow the spackling compound to dry smooth — without cracks or blemishes — for a superior finished look. With these properties, 3M glass bubbles represent a superior alternative to many conventional fillers and additives such as silica, calcium carbonate, talc, clay, and other materials used in demanding applications. Due to their unique physical properties, glass bubbles have also found use in areas such as roof coatings due to their enhancement of solar reflective properties.
Learn more about 3M™ Glass Bubbles (PDF, 1.2 Mb)
Our 3M™ Glass Bubbles K37 are high-strength polymer additives that can be used as a low-density filler material that is ideal for plastic and rubber parts created from compression molding, extrusion process and/or other vigorous processing equipment. Glass bubbles can easily be added in the production process, helping to streamline production and increase throughput. For these reasons, 3M glass bubbles are a superior alternative to many conventional fillers and additives such as silica, calcium carbonate, talc, clay and other materials used in demanding applications.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
The benefits don't end there; although these hollow spheres have thin walls, they have an isostatic crush strength of 3,000 psi making them suitable for a number of applications. In addition to paints and coatings, these bubbles may be used for compounding, rubber and plastic applications. K37 bubbles have a fractional survival rate of 80% or more, at 3,000 psi for consistent performance and greater survivability. This is especially important in the production of plastic and rubber parts, so you can reduce the weight of finished parts without compromising the strength and mechanical integrity.
The unique spherical shape of these bubbles offers a number of additional benefits, including: higher filler loading, lower viscosity/improved flow and reduced shrinkage and warpage. Higher filler loading offers the potential for lower costs. Adding to this product's versatility is its ability to be easily blended into compounds — making it adaptable to a variety of production processes including spraying, casting and molding. Like all of our products, we have gone through painstaking effort to develop 3M™ Glass Bubbles K37, to go above and beyond user requirements. When it comes to finding a durable, reliable additive for paints and coatings, turn to 3M — a company that has been developing glass bubble technology for over 40 years.
Higher filler loading
Lower Viscosity
Typical Applications
- Paints and coatings
- Compounding
- Emulsion explosives
- Transportation
- High build coatings for sag resistance
- High temperature insulation coatings
