3M™ Glass Bubbles K1

3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 are hollow glass microspheres that are ideal for a number of applications including – shallow (e.g. up to 2,000 feet of sea water) water flotation devices and lightweight wall repair compound. These low-cost, economical bubbles have a very low typical density (0.125 g/cc) and an isostatic crush strength of 250 psi.

What are 3M Glass Bubbles? 3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 are hollow glass spheres with a typical density of 0.125 g/cc, offering good strength-to-density ratio. These general purpose spheres are designed for use in a variety of applications, including oil and gas drilling operations and as an additive in lightweight wall repair compounds. Notably, our K1 glass bubbles have low thermal conductivity, helping coatings achieve very good thermal insulation performance while minimizing heat flow. The general purpose K Series glass bubbles are the most versatile and economical 3M™ Glass Bubbles. Our 3M glass bubbles are engineered hollow glass spheres made from water-resistant and chemically-stable soda-lime borosilicate glass. Like all 3M glass bubbles, our K1 glass bubbles are virtually insoluble in water or oil, providing better utility in underwater applications and making them water resistant. Additionally, they are non-combustible and non-porous, so they do not absorb resin; and their low alkalinity makes this product compatible with most resins while providing a stable viscosity and a long shelf life. 3M glass bubbles are a superior alternative to many conventional fillers and additives such as silicas, calcium carbonate, talc, clay and other materials used in demanding applications. Our low-density spheres are used in a wide range of industries to reduce part weight, lower costs and enhance product properties – making them more reliable and affordable than many alternatives such as cenospheres and perlite. Strength-to-Weight Ratio The benefits don’t end there; although these hollow spheres have thin walls, they have an isostatic crush strength of 250 psi, making them suitable for a number of buoyancy applications, including additives in buoys and shallow water buoyancy applications (e.g. up to 2,000 feet of sea water). K1 glass bubbles have a targeted fractional survival rate at 250 psi of 90% for consistent performance in highly filled resin syst