3M

1. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M
Telford, July 10th 2019
Reducing Density
by Adding Filler
Lightweight Composites
based on Hollow Glass
Microspheres
3M™ Glass Bubbles

2. 2. All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M
Headquarters
today:
St. Paul,
Minnesota
Founded:
in Two Harbors,
USA in 1902
From its beginnings as a mining
company (= Mining), and later including further
processing (= Manufacturing), 3M has now
developed into a diversified technology company
with worldwide operations
3M stands for Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing

3. 3. All Rights Reserved.2019© 3M
More than 100 Years of Innovation
Our innovation goal: 1/3 of our revenue
comes from products new in the last 5
years.
To achieve this, we invest more than $1.8
billion in R&D every year.
46technology platforms,
more than 117,000registered patents,
more than 55,000products and more than
1,000new products being added every year

4. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M 4© 3M
3M™ Glass Bubbles
The ALL-ROUND lightweight filler
Diameter
Wall thickness
Hollow
Spherical
Glass
three properties - influencing many product characteristics

5. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M
Main benefits of Glass Bubbles based compounds and composites
3M Glass
Bubbles
Hollow Glass Beads Characteristics 3M Glass Bubble Features
• Low Density
• Low Thermal Conductivity
• Low Heat Capacity
• Isotropic Properties
• Low Surface to Volume Ratio
• Hard surface
3M Glass Bubble Characteristics
Hollow
Spherical (Aspect Ratio = 1)
Borosilicate glass
Benefits for customer/user
• Lightweight
• Thermal Insulation
• Cycle Time Reduction
• Low Warpage
• Good Flow Properties
• High Scratch Resistance
3M™ Glass Bubbles

6. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M 6
Composite Lightweighting Technologies
Improving Reinforcement
Lower weight by thin parts with
high strength and stiffness
Lightweight Filler (3M™ Glass Bubbles)
Lower weight by reduced density

7. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M© 3M 7
3M™ Glass Bubbles
Reducing density by adding filler
Filler Density [g/cm³]
Calcium Carbonate 2.8
Talc 2.7
Barium Sulfate 4.5
Aluminium Trihydrate 2.4
Mica 2.8
Titan Dioxide 4.2
Glass Fiber 2.5
Solid Glass Beads 2.5
3M™ Glass Bubbles 0.125 – 0.6
Glass
Bubbles
Other Additives
(e.g.CaCO3, Talc,
Glass Fibers)

8. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M© 3M 8
3M™ Glass Bubbles
Reducing density by adding filler
Glass
Bubbles
Other Additives
(e.g.CaCO3, Talc,
Glass Fibers)

9. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M
[g/cm³]
[MPa]
[MPa]
55
110
165
220
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
25
30
S28HS
density: 0.28 g/cm³
d50: 30 µm
collapse strength: 21 MPa
S32HS
density: 0.32 g/cm³
d50: 25 µm
collapse strength: 41 MPa iM16k
density: 0.46 g/cm³
d50: 20 µm
collapse strength: 110 MPa
3M™ Glass Bubbles Isostatic Collapse Strength
Diameter

10. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M 10© 3M
3M™ Glass Bubbles in Thermoset
Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC)
▪ Density reduction up to 40%
▪ Improved dimensional stability
▪ Class A surface possible
2016 Chevrolet Corvette using lightweight SMC
with 1.2 g/cm³ density

11. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M 11© 3M
3M™ Glass Bubbles in Thermoplastics
▪ Same shrinkage as PA6 GF30
▪ Easy switch from PA to PP
▪ Weight reduction, 27%
▪ No modification at tool or part design
▪ Mechanical requirements met
Substitution of PA GF30 by
Polyfort™ PPH GBF4030 RD LE H3
with 3M™ Glass Bubbles
Structural Components

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3M™ Glass Bubbles Plant Tilloy, France
GENDORF Chemical Park, Germany
with 3M™ Specialty Additives Laboratory
Thank You

13. . All Rights Reserved.10 July 2019© 3M
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