3M™ Glass Bubbles for Paints & Coatings

Lighter. Brighter. Cooler. Smarter.

Hollow glass microspheres for density
reduction, solar reflectivity and more.

3M™ Glass Bubbles for Paints and Coatings

  • From single family homes to large industrial plants, the composition of paints are the first line of protection for the buildings that shelter our businesses and lives. And weathering the elements year after year – while keeping down initial and long-term costs – requires the right paint coatings.

    3M™ Glass Bubbles provide a high performance, cost-effective alternative to conventional paint fillers in a variety of coatings and specialty industrial paints. These hollow glass microspheres are used as density-reducing additives, helping lower formulation weight and viscosity, and contribute a variety of functional benefits ranging from scratch resistance to solar reflectivity.
     

    • Acrylic and industrial latex paints
    • Solar reflective roof coatings
    • Spackling, caulks, adhesives and more
    • Epoxy coatings

    Available in a wide range of strengths, densities and particle sizes, 3M glass bubbles can help meet the performance and processing demands of your application and paint challenges. View our Selection Guide to help identify the grade of 3M glass bubbles with the optimal balance of properties for your formulation:
    > 3M™ Glass Microspheres for Paints and Coatings (PDF, 841 KB)


  • Boost performance

    The high strength, low density and unique physical properties of 3M™ Glass Bubbles can provide a number of advantages compared to paint coatings formulated with conventional, irregularly-shaped fillers:

    • Improved abrasion resistance (depending on product grade)
    • Reduced thermal expansion and shrinkage
    • Uniform glass microspheres help create improved flow, for efficient processing and easier coating application

    Keep down costs

    From day one, the use of paints and coating solutions formulated with 3M™ Glass Bubbles can reduce your cost per gallon while helping to control maintenance and operating costs.
     

    • Lower cost per volume than many conventional fillers
    • Enables higher paint filler loading, reducing use of expensive resins
    • Solar reflective coatings help maintain cooler inside temperatures, for lower cooling costs

  • Solar Reflective Industrial Coating Illustration

    Solar reflective coatings

    Cool isn't just a matter of comfort. Effective solar management – or the lack of it – can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Testing shows that solar reflective coatings on roofs formulated with heat reflective paint additives such as 3M glass bubbles can offer a number of performance and cost benefits compared to typical "cool roof" coatings.
     

    • Higher total solar reflectance
    • Higher thermal emissivity (ability to give up heat)
    • Lower inside temperatures
    • Reduced cooling costs

    In addition to their traditional use in building products for energy conservation, solar heat management coatings are expanding into new and exciting fields such as transportation.

  • Support

    Contact a 3M technical expert for more advice.

    Contact a 3M Expert