Plastics & Composites

SWARCOFORCE glass filler beads as filling and reinforcing agents in plastics

In the plastics industry, SWARCO Indusfericas’ SWARCOFORCE glass filler beads are important filling and reinforcing agents. In thermoplastics, they are incorporated through compounding. Here, the purpose is primarily to optimize mechanical properties, such as rigidity, pressure resistance, heat deflection, and many other attributes.

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Areas of Application

Thermoplastics

Thermosets

Elastomers

How do SWARCOFORCE glass filler beads enhance the properties of materials?

Increased scratch resistance
Improved abrasion resistance
Optimized rigidity and pressure resistance
Improved heat deflection
Reduced warping and shrinking behaviour
Enhanced haptics
Higher surface quality
Used as anti-blocking agents

Hybrid Combinations to Reduce Warpage

Hybrid combinations of glass-fibre and glass-bead reinforcements in particular combine greater rigidity of the plastic compound with a reduced tendency to warp. Injection moulding materials also benefit from less warpage, as well as reduced shrinkage, the prevention of sink marks and shorter cycle times. When used in technical components, automotive parts, and 3D printed materials, this is particularly essential

Glass Filler Beads as Anti-Blocking Agents

Films, especially polyolefin films, tend to stick together or adhere to metal surfaces. Anti-blocking agents reduce this effect, enhance slip characteristics and improve winding behaviour – making this another ideal area of application for SWARCOFORCE glass filler beads.

Silanization of Glass Filler Beads

SWARCOFORCE and SWARCOFORCE REFLEX glass filler beads can be customized with a broad range of coatings. This defines the interaction between the glass and the matrix material used. Furthermore, SWARCOFORCE glass filler beads can be coated with silane, adapting them precisely to the plastic in question. Glass filler beads modified in this way make it possible to considerably improve the final properties of the plastic.

Optical properties

Glass filler beads with a high refractive index are ideal for use in plastic films and multi-wall sheets, making this a perfect area of application for SWARCOFORCE REFLEX. The glass filler beads prevent overheating during the day and reduce heat loss at night, which is ideal for greenhouses, for example, or other areas protected from the sun. Furthermore, by scattering the light, glass filler beads can create diffuse light conditions while hardly lowering transparency.

Tailor-made solutions for customer needs

SWARCO Indusferica is the competent partner for individual solutions in the industrial application of micro glass beads as filler. Particle size distribution, silanization characteristics and filler content influence the properties of the final product. By precisely studying these ratios and their effects, products can be optimized and further developed in a targeted manner. Many different particle sizes are available. The production process ensures tight screening curves. On request, screening curves are also possible according to individual customer requirements; these are adapted exactly to the customer's needs.