Hollow Glass Microspheres for Anti-corrosion Coating
Hollow glass microspheres can be widely used in weather-resistant anti-corrosion coatings, automotive coatings, marine antifouling coatings, pipeline anti-corrosion coatings, etc. They play the following roles in coatings:
■ VOC Reduction: Even at high addition levels, the viscosity of the coating does not increase significantly, reducing the amount of organic components used and lowering the emission of harmful substances during use, effectively reducing VOC levels.
■ High Flowability: The spherical structure, similar to ball bearings, acts as a lubricant in the coating, thereby reducing viscosity and increasing flowability.
■ Low Oxygen/Water Permeability: Hollow glass microspheres are composed of hollow spheres of varying sizes, resulting in a wide particle size distribution. This improves packing performance, reduces porosity, slows down permeation, blocks electrical pathways, isolates H₂O and O₂, and prevents the formation of electrolytes. This delays the onset of corrosion, providing excellent long-term protection. Hollow glass microspheres with micron-sized particles prevent coating collapse, increase dry film thickness, and delay the arrival of H₂O and O₂ on the steel surface.
■ Reduced shrinkage and cracking: The perfectly spherical, isotropic shape reduces warping and shrinkage caused by stress inconsistencies after film formation.
■ Barrier and inhibition effects: Hollow glass microspheres enhance zinc powder dispersion and provide a barrier effect. They capture chloride ions, inhibiting corrosion particles from penetrating downwards to the substrate surface.
