The Start of a Better Finish
3M™ Ceramic Microspheres are unique, semi-transparent fine particle size, high-strength ceramic microspheres. They are used to reduce VOC levels, increase filler loadings, improve hardness and add burnish, scrub and abrasion resistance to a variety of coating formulations.
More About 3M Ceramic Microsphere Technology
Products
3M™ Ceramic Microspheres W-210
Strong, hard, inert, thick-walled white spheres with very high strength, particle size from 0.3-12 microns.
3M™ Ceramic Microspheres W-410
Strong, hard, inert, thick-walled white spheres with very high strength, particle size from 0.3-24 microns.
3M™ Ceramic Microspheres W-610
Strong, hard, inert, thick-walled white spheres with very high strength, particle size from 0.3-40 microns.
3M™ Ceramic Microspheres X-273
Strong, hard, inert, thick-walled white hollow spheres with very high strength, particle size from 1-9 microns.
| |
Isostatic Crush Strength (90% survival, psi) |
True Density (g/cc) |
Particle Size (microns, by volume) |
| Distribution |
Effective top size 95th% |
| 10th% |
50th% |
90th% |
| W-210 |
>60,000 |
2.4 |
1 |
3 |
11 |
12 |
| W-410 |
>60,000 |
2.5 |
1 |
4 |
15 |
24 |
| W-610 |
>60,000 |
2.5 |
1 |
10 |
28 |
40 |
| NOTE: Technical information and data shown here should be considered representative or typical only and should not be used for specification purposes. Refer to product data pages for additional technical infomation. |
View typical 3M Ceramic Microsphere Applications
Buy now at Shop3M.com
In the U.S., industrial and professional users can buy sample sizes (1 gallon containers) and small boxes (25 kg – 50 lbs) of 3M™ Ceramic Microspheres online at Shop3M.com. To place an order for a larger quantity, contact 3M Customer Service at 800-367-8905, or Contact Us.
The Science of 3M™ Ceramic Microspheres
Higher filler loading, to reduce resin demand, VOCs
 |
 |
| 3M Microspheres W-410 |
Calcium Carbonate |
 |
 |
| Mica |
Wollastonite |
The spherical shape of 3M Ceramic Microspheres offers the lowest surface area to volume ratio of any other shape. Compared to irregularly-shaped fillers, 3M ceramic microspheres can help reduce resin demand and increase volume loading capacity. Smaller spheres may fill voids between larger ones to enhance packing, for higher solids/lower VOCs and reduced costs.
Intrinsic hardness, to enhance burnish resistance and scrubbability
Mohs 7 hardness and spherical shape contribute to increased burnish resistance and hardness of the finished surface. This helps surfaces stay new looking longer, to save the time and cost of touchups or repainting. With ordinary fillers, soft or jagged particles on the surface often break or wear away.
3M™ Ceramic Microsphere Applications
Higher filler loading, to reduce resin demand, VOCs
Following are just a few of the many ways 3M Ceramic Microspheres are helping manufacturers control costs, improve processability and add value in a broad range of paint and coating products:
Application |
Potential Enhancements |
Architectural Coatings |
- Durability
- Scrubability
- Higher PVC
- Improved burnish resistance
- Uniformity of sheen
|
Powder Coatings |
- Improved flow
- Hardness
- Gloss control
- Cost reduction
|
Maintenance Coatings |
- Corrosion resistance
- Durability
- Lower film permeability
- High loading
- Cost reduction
|
Coil Coatings |
- Flexibility
- Gloss control
- Higher solids
- Cost reduction
- Hardness
|
High-Solids Industrial Coatings |
- High loading with low viscosity
- Reduced VOC
- Improved hardness
- Gloss control
- Sprayability
- Cost reduction
|
Primers |
- Improved salt spray, humidity resistance
- Higher volume solids
- Cost reduction
|
Water-Reducible Industrial Finishes |
- Increased volume solids
- Reduced film permeability
- Improved corrosion resistance
- Hardness
- Inertness
- Gloss control
- Durability
|
UV-Cured Coatings |
- High loading with low viscosity
- Cost reduction
- Sprayability
- Scrubability
- Burnish resistance
|
Mastics/Grouts |
- Improved rheology
- Higher loading
- Durability
- Reduced shrinkage
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