3M™ GLASS BUBBLES
K1
Designed for applications demanding extreme weight reduction. K1 features the lowest true density in the 3M™ K-series family, ideal for polyester putty, sound deadening coatings, gypsum plaster, thermal insulation exterior coatings, and sealants.
Ultra-Low Density Micro-Spherical Additive Engineering
3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 engineered additives consist of high-strength, water-insoluble, chemically stable soda-lime-borosilicate hollow glass microspheres designed for applications demanding maximum weight reduction and volumetric yield expansion. Featuring an ultra-low true density of 0.125 g/cm³ and an isostatic crush strength of 250 psi (1.7 MPa), K1 represents the lowest-density variant within the 3M™ K-series lineup. These completely intact, smooth, spherical hollow bubbles act as microscopic ball-bearings within paste and liquid formulations, dramatically improving sanding ease in polyester putty, damping acoustic vibration in sound deadening coatings, increasing bag yield in gypsum plaster, reducing thermal conductivity in thermal insulation exterior coatings, and eliminating shrinkage and sagging in high-build elastomeric sealants.
3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 is specifically optimized for low-shear compounding processes where maximum density reduction and volumetric yield take priority over high-pressure extrusion.
3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 Performance Metrics
Review key physical parameters, density limits, and target matrix compatibility for 3M™ Glass Bubbles Grade K1 below.
0.125 g/cm³
Achieves the lowest density in the K-series family, delivering maximum volumetric yield expansion per kilogram.
250 psi (1.7 MPa)
Provides reliable structural sphere integrity during low-stress mixing, troweling, and ambient compounding.
Putties, Plasters, Coatings & Sealants
Engineered for polyester putty, sound deadening coatings, gypsum plaster, thermal insulation exterior coatings, and sealants.
3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 provides a unique combination of extreme light-weighting, acoustic damping, low thermal conductivity, and easy workability.
Maximum Density Reduction
At 0.125 g/cm³, K1 cuts mass by up to 30% in polyester body fillers, sealants, and gypsum plasters.
Thermal Insulation Performance
Hollow air-filled borosilicate glass cells significantly reduce heat transfer in exterior thermal insulation wall coatings.
Superior Sandability & Finishing
In lightweight polyester putties, spherical glass bubbles fracture cleanly under sandpaper, reducing dust and labor time.
Acoustic & Sound Damping
Disrupts sound wave propagation within liquid and sprayable sound deadening coatings for automotive and industrial panels.
Shrinkage & Sag Control
Prevents volume shrinkage and vertical sag in thick elastomeric joint sealants, caulks, and gypsum plaster fills.
High Volumetric Yield
Replaces dense mineral fillers on a volume-for-volume basis, expanding bucket and bag yield significantly.
Specific deployment across body fillers, acoustic barriers, gypsum mortars, exterior facade systems, and architectural sealants.
Polyester Putty & Body Fillers
Substantially lowers putty density for lightweight automotive and marine repairs, dramatically enhancing trowel spreadability and fast, effortless sanding.
Sound Deadening Coatings
Incorporated into sprayable acoustic coatings and liquid-applied sound deadeners (LASD) to absorb structural resonance and vibration in machinery and transport cabins.
Gypsum Plaster & Wall Renders
Lowers deadweight in gypsum plasters, machine-applied wall renders, and joint compounds while improving coverage per 25kg bag and reducing troweling fatigue.
Thermal Insulation Exterior Coatings
Formulated into cool-roof paints, elastomeric facade coatings, and thermal barrier paints to reduce heat ingress, lower k-values, and increase solar reflectance.
Architectural & Industrial Sealants
Provides non-sag vertical hold, zero cure shrinkage, and low-density properties in polyurethane, silicone, acrylic, and MS polymer joint sealants.
| Target Application | Formulation Function | Key Technical Benefit | Recommended Addition Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester Putty | Density & Sanding Modifier | Effortless sanding, dust reduction & lightweighting | 10% – 25% by volume |
| Sound Deadening Coatings | Acoustic & Density Attenuator | Resonance absorption & sprayable viscosity control | 8% – 20% by volume |
| Gypsum Plaster | Lightweight Fill & Yield Booster | Expands bag yield & lowers wall structural load | 5% – 15% by weight |
| Thermal Insulation Exterior Coatings | Solar Reflectance & Thermal Barrier | Reduces thermal conductivity & roof solar gain | 10% – 30% by volume |
| Sealants & Caulks | Anti-Shrink & Thixotropic Filler | Zero volumetric shrinkage & high vertical hold | 5% – 20% by volume |
Due to its 250 psi crush strength, 3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 should be added toward the end of low-shear mixing cycles to maintain 100% spherical integrity.
Low-Shear Incorporation
Introduce K1 during the final let-down stage using ribbon blenders, planetary mixers, or slow-speed paddle agitators.
Moisture-Proof Storage
Store in original sealed poly-lined bags in a dry, cool warehouse to prevent moisture clumping and dust dispersion.
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ)
Get quick, technically vetted answers regarding 3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 density, strength, compounding, and target formulations.
Geocon Group — 3M Specialty Glass Bubbles Division
Geocon Group supplies 3M™ Glass Bubbles K1, K15, K20, K25, K37, and high-strength iM series microspheres across India. We provide laboratory trial assistance, density matching, and sample dispatch from our corporate hub in Navi Mumbai and R&D lab in Bhandup.
3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 Target Applications at a Glance
Discover how 3M™ Glass Bubbles K1 enables ultra-low density, thermal insulation, acoustic damping, and smooth sanding across key application fields.
Polyester Body Putty
K1 microspheres reducing body filler mass while enabling easy, fast sanding with minimal pinholes.
Gypsum Plaster & Renders
Expanding bag yield and reducing structural deadweight on wall partitions and machine-applied plasters.
Thermal Coatings & Sealants
Enhancing thermal insulation in exterior wall paints, sound deadening, and sag-free joint sealants.
3M™ Glass Bubbles K1
Connect with our Navi Mumbai technical sales desk to request evaluation sample kits, Technical Data Sheets (TDS), or pricing for 3M™ Glass Bubbles Grade K1 in Polyester Putty, Gypsum Plaster, Thermal Coatings, or Sealants.
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