Lasimikrosfäärien

Lasimikrosfäärit, also known as glass microspheres or glass beads, are tiny spherical particles made of glass. They are typically manufactured by melting glass and then spraying it through a nozzle, allowing the molten droplets to cool and solidify into spheres. The size of these microspheres can range from very small, measured in micrometers, to several millimeters in diameter. Their uniform size and shape are key properties that make them useful in various applications.

These microspheres possess several advantageous characteristics. They are chemically inert, meaning they do not react with most substances, and are resistant to many solvents and environmental factors. Their smooth, spherical nature contributes to good flowability and dispersibility. Furthermore, they can be produced with varying degrees of transparency or opacity, and their refractive index can be controlled during manufacturing.

The applications of lasimikrosfäärit are diverse. They are widely used as fillers in plastics, coatings, and adhesives to improve properties such as strength, hardness, and density, while also reducing shrinkage. In the field of road safety, they serve as retroreflective elements in road markings, allowing them to reflect light back to its source, thereby enhancing visibility at night and in adverse weather conditions. They are also employed in blast media for cleaning and surface preparation, in cosmetics as texture enhancers, and in scientific research as calibration standards or components in experimental setups.