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Ceramic Microspheres

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High performance abrasion resistance

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Product Overview

3M solid Ceramic Microspheres are used as an additive in coating and polymer formulations. Due to their high hardness and spherical morphology, they offer outstanding abrasion, scratch and burnish resistance. 

Ceramic microspheres are used in various thermoplastics and thermosets to improve the strength, toughness and durability of the composite. Their spherical nature eases constraints on loading levels and improves processability.

Being composed of alkali alumino silicate means that they are UV transparent down to 250 nm, allowing them to be easily incorporated into UV curing systems.

Brochures & Technical Literature

3M Microspheres selection guide

An overview of the features and benefits offered by using Glass Bubbles and Ceramic Microspheres in different applications.

download Download PDF 328 KB
3M Ceramic Microspheres for Architectural and Industrial Coatings

The features and benefits of Ceramic Microspheres in decorative and industrial coating systems.

download Download PDF 1 MB

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Product Features
  • Alkali alumino silicate microspheres
  • High particle strength, up to 60,000 psi crush strength
  • Mohs hardness of 6.0
  • Chemically inert
  • Semi-transparent particles. Powder has a white body colour
  • UV-transparent down to 250 nm
Product Benefits
  • Outstanding scratch, abrasion and burnish resistance
  • Helps reduce VOC levels in coating formulations
  • Low viscosity build even at high filler loadings
  • Low wear on equipment despite high hardness
  • Longer working times in epoxy systems vs other common fillers
  • Can be used in polymers to improve various mechanical properties
Typical Applications
  • Industrial & decorative coatings (aqueous and non-aqueous)
  • Automotive primers
  • Powder coatings
  • Thermoplastic and thermoset compounds, 2k epoxy systems in particular
  • UV-cured coatings, lacquers, adhesives and polymers

Featured grades with technical datasheets

A brief overview of the key grades with their Technical Datasheets (TDS) is given below.

If you are looking for a Safety Datasheet (SDS), Product Safety Information (PSI) or an alternate grade, then please get in touch or request a sample.

Key points at a glance:

  • Tight particle size spread: d10 of 1 micron, d50 of 3 microns, d90 of 9 microns
  • High-hardness microsphere with excellent UV transparency
  • Low viscosity build with high loadings possible
  • Excellent scratch, abrasion and burnish resistance
download W210 Ceramic Microspheres Technical Datasheet 496 KB

Key points at a glance:

  • Tight particle size spread: d10 of 1 micron, d50 of 4 microns, d90 of 15 microns
  • High-hardness microsphere with excellent UV transparency
  • Low viscosity build with high loadings possible
  • Excellent scratch, abrasion and burnish resistance
download W410 Ceramic Microspheres TDS 496 KB
Also Used In
Applications View All Applications
Adhesives & Sealants

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Coatings

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Composites

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Thermoplastics

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Thermosets

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