The expandable microspheres are used as a physical blowing agent and as an ultra-lightweight filler for density and weight reduction in a wide range of applications. Their use can reduce costs, modify surfaces and increase thermal insulation.

Expandable microspheres are hollow polymeric spheres each of which comprises a thermoplastic shell encapsulating liquid hydrocarbon. When heated to a temperature high enough to soften the shell, the increasing pressure of the hydrocarbon will cause the microsphere to expand, increasing the sphere volume by 80 to 100 times.

The density of microspheres after expansion can be lower than 30 kg/m³ (0.03 g/cm³) which makes them an ideal lightweight filler and a foaming agent for all kinds of plastics and rubber.

LIGHT WEIGHT SOLUTIONS

Foam manufacturers are pursuing lightweight, comfortable and eco-friendly solutions. For automotive and aerospace industries, lower density materials that cut load and fuel consumption are huge cost-savers. The density of our expandable microspheres is only 1/50 of that of water.

Adding microspheres can significantly reduce product weight. For every 10% weight reduction in vehicles, fuel efficiency increases by 6%-8%. Other benefits include preventing shrinkage and warpage in injection molding, lowering permittivity, and improving thermal insulation.

RESILIENCE & COMPRESSIBILITY

Microspheres are core-shell-like spherical particles with a thermoplastic polymer shell. They can be compressed under pressure but easily restore to their original size once pressure is released. This resilience is vital for thermoplastic elastomers, rubber, and vehicle underbody coatings (UBC) to improve gravel resistance.