3M™ Microspheres

Selection Guide

Customer-
Proven
Performance

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 3M™ Microspheres

3M™ Microspheres offer a variety of inherent advantages over

typical irregularly shaped mineral fillers. And 3M can offer
engineered microspheres with different sizes, strengths, densities
and compositions. Combining the inherent advantages with
engineered features provides a wide choice of unique potential
enhancements to help you meet specific processing and end-use
requirements for many applications.

Selecting More than one type of microsphere may be appropriate for an

application depending on requirements for texture, processing

microspheres
equipment and cost. Smaller spheres can help provide a smoother
feel. And some equipment can damage lower strength spheres.
The following charts present 3M microspheres commonly

for
considered for many typical applications.

performance enhancements
Application Ideas Potential Enhancements* Product Considerations

Auto Body Repair Filler Reduced pinholes, lightweight sanded surface K1, K15, S15, S22
K25 Low cost
Adhesives Weight reduction, reduced shrinkage,
S32, K37 When processing requires higher strength
(Aerospace) high filler loading/reduced VOCs
A16/500, A20/1000, D32/4500 For high performance (ROV)
K1 Low cost
Bowling Ball Cores Density control
K15, K20, S32, XLD 3000 When processing requires higher strength
A16/500, A20/1000, H20/1000,
For high performance
D32/4500
Buoyancy Cost reduction, weight reduction, water resistance,
K1, K15 Shallow water flotation
(Oil and Gas) sandability/machinability
K20, K25, S32 Deep water flotation
XLD3000 When low density is required
Cost reduction, sandability/machinability, K1, K15 Low cost, low strength
Cast Urethane
reduced warpage/shrinkage, weight reduction K20 Commonly used
Cryogenic Insulation (Bulk) Increased insulation, decreased compaction, annulus filler K1
K1 Low cost
Caulks Reduced shrinkage K15, K20 When processing requires higher strength
S15 Small particle size for smooth texture
S22 Small particle size for smooth texture
Sandability/machinability, weight reduction,
Cultured Marble K1 Low cost
thermal shock resistance
K15, K20 When processing requires higher strength
Furniture Cost reduction, sandability/machinability, K1 Low cost
(Cast Polyester) reduced warpage/shrinkage, weight reduction K15, K20 When processing requires higher strength
S38 Low cost
Injection Molded/ Weight reduction, productivity improvements, K37, K42HS, K46, S60,
When processing requires higher strength
Extruded Composites resin displacement, improved dimensional stability S60HS, S38HS, S38XHS
iM30K When extrusion/molding requires very high strength
Cost reduction, weight reduction, reduced K1 Low cost
Marine putties
shrinkage/warpage K15, K20 When processing requires higher strength
Deep Sea S38HS High strength
Wet Pipe Insulation High strength, low thermal conductivity S38XHS Extra high strength
(Oil and Gas) XLD3000, XLD6000 Extra low density

* Actual enhancements realized may vary depending on a

variety of factors, some of which are uniquely within the
user’s knowledge and control. As a result, it is essential
that the user evaluate the 3M product to determine
whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for
the user’s method of application.
Application Ideas Potential Enhancements* Product Considerations

Paints (Architectural) Improved scrubbability, burnish and stain resistance W-210, W-410, W-610 White for easy color matching
W-210 Smallest particle size, least gloss reduction
Paints Gloss control, burnish resistance, hardness, corrosion
W-410 6 Hegman grind
(Industrial & Maintenance) resistance, abrasion resistance, higher solids/reduced VOCs
W-610 Maintenance paints
K37, K42HS, K46, S38, S38HS,
Plastic Components Weight reduction, reduced shrinkage, improved throughput When optimized formulation is critical
S38XHS, S60, S60HS, iM30K
Plywood Patch Cost reduction, sandability, reduced shrinkage K15, K20 Yields low density
A16/500, A20/1000, H20/1000 For high performance
Potting Compounds Weight reduction, reduced shrinkage,
K1 Low cost
(Lightweight) reduced dielectric constant, thermal insulation
K15, K20 When processing requires higher strength
Potting Compounds
Reduced shrinkage, thermal stress crack resistance W-610 Small particle size
(Regular Weight)
W-210 Small particle size
Powder Coatings Abrasion resistance, improved flow
W-410 6 Hegman grind
Rubber Components Weight reduction, improved throughput K42HS, S60, S60HS, iM30K When high strength, low density is required
SMC Class A surface finish S38, S60, S60HS, iM30K Small particle size for improved surface finish
K1 Low cost, commonly used
Spackling
Sandability, reduced shrinkage K15, K20 When processing requires higher strength
Compounds
S15, S22 Small particle size for smooth texture
K1 Low cost, not recommended for spray applications
When processing requires higher strength,
Cost reduction, sandability/machinability, K15
Spray-Up/Lay-Up not recommended for spray applications
reduced warpage/shrinkage, weight reduction
When processing requires higher strength, commonly
K20
used, not recommended for spray applications
K25, S32, S35 Higher strength for spray applications
S32, S35 Low cost
Syntactic Foam A16, A20, H50, K37, S38,
Cost reduction, weight reduction For survivability at deep sea pressures
(Oil and Gas) S38HS, S38XHS
XLD6000 When low density is required
Tape Joint Compounds Reduced shrinkage, sandability K1 Low cost
K20 Low cost
Tile Grout Reduced shrinkage, improved flow
K25 When processing requires higher strength
Tooling Board Less dust during machining, sandability, machinability K1, K15, S15, S22 Small particle size
Void Filler (Aerospace) Lightweight A16, A20, D32 Lightweight
* Actual enhancements realized may vary depending on a variety of factors, some of which
are uniquely within the user’s knowledge and control. As a result, it is essential that the user
evaluate the 3M product to determine whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for
the user’s method of application.

3M™ Glass Bubbles Floated Series 3M™ Glass Bubbles General Purpose Series
Particle Size Particle Size
(microns, by volume) (microns, by volume)
Target True Color Target
Crush Strength Density Distribution True Distribution Color
(unaided Crush Strength Density
(90% survival, psi) (g/cc) 10th% 50th% 90th% eye) (unaided
(90% survival, psi) (g/cc) 10th% 50th% 90th% eye)
A16/500 500 0.16 25 55 90 green
K1 250 0.125 30 65 115 white
G18 500 0.18 15 35 70 white
K15 300 0.15 30 60 105 white
A20/1000 1000 0.20 25 50 85 green
S15 300 0.15 25 55 90 white
H20/1000 1000 0.20 25 50 85 white
S22 400 0.22 20 35 65 white
D32/4500 4500 0.32 15 35 60 green
H50/10,000 EPX 10,000* 0.50 15 35 60 white K20 500 0.20 25 55 95 white
K25 750 0.25 25 55 90 white
*H50 strength per 3M QCM 90% survival minimum.
S32 2000 0.32 20 40 70 white
Note: Technical information and data shown here should be
considered representative or typical only and should S35 3000 0.35 10 40 75 white
not be used for specification purposes. K37 3000 0.37 20 45 80 white
Refer to product data pages for additional technical information. XLD3000 3000 0.23 15 30 40 white
S38 4000 0.38 15 40 75 white
S38HS 5500 0.38 15 40 75 white
S38XHS 5500 0.38 15 40 70 white
K46 6000 0.46 15 40 70 white
XLD6000 6000 0.30 10 18 30 white
K42HS 7,500 0.42 11 22 37 white
S60 10,000 0.60 15 30 55 white
S60HS 18,000 0.60 11 30 50 white
iM30K 28,000 0.60 9 16 25 white
 3M™ Microspheres

3M™ Ceramic Microspheres Resources

Particle Size
(microns, by volume) 3M™ Microspheres are supported by global sales, technical and
Target True customer service resources, with fully-staffed technical service
Crush Strength Density Distribution Color
(90% survival, psi) (g/cc) 10th% 50th% 90th% (unaided eye) laboratories and an authorized distributor network in the U.S.,
W-210 >60,000 2.4 N/A N/A 13 white Europe, Japan, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Users benefit
W-410 >60,000 2.4 N/A N/A 23 white
from 3M’s broad technology base and continuing attention to
product development, performance, safety and environmental
W-610 >60,000 2.4 N/A N/A 38 white
issues – including development of innovative solutions such as
surface-treated and metal-coated products.
Beyond microsphere enhancements... For additional technical information on 3M microspheres
technical support and worldwide service in the United States, call 3M Energy and Advanced Materials
Division, 800-367-8905. For other 3M global offices, and
It can take more than quality products to help you solve complex
information on additional 3M products, visit our website at:
problems. That’s why 3M also provides technical support, a proven www.3M.com/microspheres.
global service network, and ongoing R&D to help you meet your
ever-evolving needs.

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 and metal
coated products.

United States Canada India China Korea Philippines Malaysia Australia

3M Energy 3M Canada Company 3M India Limited 3M Hong Kong Limited 3M Korea Limited 3M Philippines, Inc. 3M Malaysia Sdn. 3M Australia Pty., Ltd.
and Advanced 800 364 3577 Bangalore 852 2806 6111 82 2 3771 4114 63 2 813 3781 Berhad 61 2 9498 9333
Materials Division 9080 2231414 60 3 706 2888
Europe Taiwan Japan Singapore Other Areas
800 367 8905
3M Belgium N.V. China 3M Taiwan Limited Sumitomo 3M Limited 3M Singapore Pte. Ltd. New Zealand 651 736 7123 (U.S.)
Brazil 32 3 250 7521 3M China Ltd. 886 2 2704 9011 813 3709 8250 65 454 8611 3M New Zealand Ltd.
3M do Brasil Ltda. 86 21 6275 3535 64 9 444 4760
5519 3838 7000

Warranty, Limited Remedy, and Disclaimer: Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge and control can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a
particular application. User is solely responsible for evaluating the 3M product and determining whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user’s method of application. Unless
a different warranty is specifically stated in the applicable product literature or packaging insert, 3M warrants that each 3M product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the
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regardless of the legal theory asserted, including warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.
Technical Information: Technical information, recommendations, and other statements contained in this document or provided by 3M personnel are based on tests or experience that 3M believes
are reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Such information is intended for persons with knowledge and technical skills sufficient to assess and apply
their own informed judgment to the information. No license under any 3M or third party intellectual property rights is granted or implied with this information.

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