Glass Microspheres Take The Pressure

Feb. 8, 2007
3M iM30K additives are reportedly the first hollow glass microspheres capable of withstanding injection molding and extrusion pressures of 30 kpsi.

They are an alternative to conventional additives/fillers such as glass fiber, calcium carbonate, and talc. The new additives are 40% stronger than previous microspheres and, at 17 m, are approximately half their sizes. 3M iM30K-filled polypropylene molded parts are nearly 17% lighter than PC/ABS counterparts and cost half as much.

3M Specialty Materials Div.,
3M Center, St. Paul, MN 55144,
(800) 367-8905,
3m.com

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