Hollow Glass Microspheres
EXTRA LOW DENSITY ADDITIVES · SYNTACTICS & COATINGS

3M™ GLASS BUBBLES
XLD3000

High-strength additives for polymers made from water-resistant and chemically stable soda-lime-borosilicate glass[cite: 4]. Designed for deep water syntactic foams, acoustic sound deadening, and airless spray coatings[cite: 4].

True Density: 0.23 g/cc 90% Survival: 3,000 psi Avg Diameter: 30 µm

Extra Low Density Glass Bubbles for Deep Water & Coating Systems

3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 are high-strength additives for polymers engineered from water-resistant and chemically stable soda-lime-borosilicate glass[cite: 4]. Designed specifically for demanding applications such as deep water syntactic foams and airless spray coatings, these hollow microspheres produce strong, stable voids with low thermal conductivity, enabling coatings to meet required compressive strength ratings[cite: 4]. Featuring a true density of 0.23 g/cc and a 3,000 psi crush strength (90% survival by volume), XLD3000 helps reduce overall material weight, dampen noise, vibration, and harmonics, control thermal expansion, and generate substantial raw material cost savings across paints, thermoset rubber, plastics, buoyancy modules, and subsea wet pipe flowline insulation[cite: 4].

3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 is engineered to maintain strong, stable void structures under hydrostatic pressures up to 3,000 psi in subsea insulation, syntactic foams, and acoustic deadening coatings[cite: 4]. Manufactured in ISO 9001 aligned facilities[cite: 4].

CORE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 Performance Metrics

Review key physical parameters and typical material properties for 3M™ Glass Bubbles Grade XLD3000 below (Data source: 3M TDS)[cite: 4].

True Density

0.23 g/cc

Extra low density providing maximum volumetric displacement and flotation buoyancy[cite: 4].

Crush Strength (90% Survival)

3,000 psi

Survives up to 3,000 psi, ensuring stable air voids in subsea flowlines and spray systems[cite: 4].

Average Particle Diameter

30 microns (µm)

Optimal size distribution for smooth spray flowability and uniform thermal insulation[cite: 4].

Key Functional Benefits

3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 combines extra low density with robust 3,000 psi crush resistance, sound deadening, and low thermal conductivity[cite: 4].

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3,000 psi Hydrostatic Strength

90% survival by volume at 3,000 psi ensures void stability in subsea insulation and spray applications[cite: 4].

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Low Thermal Conductivity

Produces stable insulating voids that reduce heat loss in wet pipe flowlines and thermal coatings[cite: 4].

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Acoustic & Harmonic Damping

Helps reduce noise, structural vibration, and harmonics in rubber and composite components[cite: 4].

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Reduced Thermal Expansion

Controls coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and reduces volumetric shrink in thermoset polymers[cite: 4].

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Water-Resistant & Chemically Stable

Synthesized from soda-lime-borosilicate glass that resists water absorption and chemical degradation[cite: 4].

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99% Flotation Efficiency

Exhibits 99% flotation (< 1.0 g/cc), ensuring maximal buoyancy in marine syntactic foam modules[cite: 4].

Primary Target Applications & Markets

Broad utilization across subsea flowline insulation, deep water buoyancy, acoustic sound deadening, paints, and thermoset polymers[cite: 4].

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Deep Water Syntactic Foams & Wet Pipe Flowlines

Engineered for subsea oil and gas pipelines, providing high hydrostatic pressure resistance and low thermal conductivity to keep flowline fluids warm[cite: 4].

Subsea Flowlines Syntactic Foams 3,000 psi Syntactic Foam
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Acoustic & Sound Deadening Spray Coatings

Maintains spherical void structure during airless spray application, damping noise, structural vibration, and harmonics in industrial panels and coatings[cite: 4].

Acoustic Damping Sound Deadening Airless Spray Acoustic Coatings
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Thermoset Rubber, Plastics & Buoyancy Modules

Displaces heavy polymer matrix weight in marine buoyancy blocks and elastomeric rubber components, controlling thermal expansion and costs[cite: 4].

Buoyancy Thermoset Rubber Plastics Buoyancy & Rubber
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Industrial & Building Thermal Insulation

Incorporated into specialized insulation systems to improve overall energy efficiency and control thermal expansion[cite: 4].

Insulation Energy Efficiency Low CTE Insulation
3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 Technical Matrix
Property Name Technical Specification Value Testing / Condition
Material Shape Hollow spheres with thin walls[cite: 4] Morphology[cite: 4]
Chemical Composition Soda-lime-borosilicate glass[cite: 4] Inorganic Matrix[cite: 4]
Color (Unaided Eye) White, powdery[cite: 4] Visual Inspection[cite: 4]
Crush Strength (90% Survival) 3,000 psi[cite: 4] Isostatic Pressure Test[cite: 4]
True Density 0.23 g/cc[cite: 4] Pycnometer[cite: 4]
Packing Factor 60%[cite: 4] Bulk to True Particle Density[cite: 4]
pH Value 9.5[cite: 4] At 5 wt% loading in water[cite: 4]
Average Diameter 30 microns (µm)[cite: 4] Particle Size Analysis[cite: 4]
Softening Point 600 °C[cite: 4] Thermal Limit[cite: 4]
Flotation (Density < 1.0 g/cc) 99%[cite: 4] Flotation Test[cite: 4]
Volatile Content 0.5% (by weight)[cite: 4] Loss on Drying[cite: 4]
Compounding, Feeding & Available Packaging

When introducing XLD3000 into an extrusion process, add material downstream of the feed hopper via a side stuffer or top feeder to minimize bubble breakage[cite: 4].

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Packaging Sizes Available

• Gallon: 1 lb / 0.4 kg[cite: 4]
• Small box: 50 lb / 23 kg[cite: 4]
• Large box: 330 lb / 150 kg[cite: 4]
• Bulk bag: 375 lb / 170.1 kg[cite: 4]
• Bulk trailer: 15,000 lb / 6,804 kg[cite: 4]

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Dusting & Handling Precautions

Use local exhaust ventilation, suction wands, and static eliminators during transfer[cite: 4]. Store unopened cartons in a dry, temperature-controlled warehouse to prevent caking[cite: 4].

Information Desk

Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ)

Get quick, technically vetted answers regarding
3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 density, crush strength, syntactic foam, acoustic sound deadening,and spray coatings[cite: 4].

1. What are 3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 and what are their primary properties?
3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 are high-strength, extra low-density hollow glass microspheres made from chemically stable soda-lime-borosilicate glass[cite: 4]. They feature an extra low true density of 0.23 g/cc and a 3,000 psi crush strength (90% survival by volume)[cite: 4].
2. How are 3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 utilized in the Syntactic Foam industry?
In the Syntactic Foam industry, XLD3000 is used as a high-strength, lightweight filler in epoxy or polyurethane matrices[cite: 4]. It creates strong, stable air voids that provide high buoyancy, low thermal conductivity, and the compressive strength needed to withstand deep water hydrostatic pressures up to 3,000 psi[cite: 4].
3. How do XLD3000 microspheres benefit the Acoustic and Sound Deadening industry?
In acoustic coatings, liquid sound deadeners, and elastomeric rubber, XLD3000 helps reduce noise, vibration, and structural harmonics[cite: 4]. The hollow glass structure introduces microscopic cell boundaries within the resin matrix that disrupt sound wave propagation and dissipate vibrational energy[cite: 4].
4. Why is XLD3000 preferred for subsea wet pipe flowline thermal insulation?
Subsea flowlines require thermal insulation that can survive deep water pressures[cite: 4]. XLD3000 provides low thermal conductivity to prevent oil paraffin wax build-up while maintaining a 3,000 psi compressive crush resistance to ensure long-term void stability on subsea pipelines[cite: 4].
5. Can 3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 withstand airless spray coating equipment?
Yes. With a 3,000 psi crush resistance (90% survival by volume), XLD3000 is designed to survive high pumping pressures in airless spray coating systems without crushing, maintaining hollow glass voids that impart thermal insulation and weight reduction to applied coating films[cite: 4].
6. How do XLD3000 glass bubbles control thermal expansion in polymers?
Because hollow borosilicate glass has a significantly lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than neat organic polymers, incorporating XLD3000 reduces overall thermal expansion and volumetric shrinkage during heating and cooling cycles in plastics and rubber parts[cite: 4].
7. What is the particle size and flotation efficiency of XLD3000?
Grade XLD3000 has an average diameter of 30 microns (µm) and exhibits 99% flotation efficiency (density < 1.0 g/cc), making it ideal for marine flotation modules and buoyant syntactic composites[cite: 4].
8. How should XLD3000 be handled during extrusion compounding?
To minimize particle breakage during extrusion, XLD3000 should be fed downstream of the main feed hopper using a side stuffer or top feeder (similar to glass fiber addition methods)[cite: 4]. Avoid severe point-contact shear like 3-roll mills or gear pumps[cite: 4].

Geocon Group — 3M Specialty Glass Bubbles Division
Geocon Group supplies 3M™ Glass Bubbles K1, K15, K15HSN, K20, K25, K37, and high-strength iM series microspheres (including iM16K and iM30K) across India[cite: 2, 3]. We offer extrusion side-feeder trial assistance, density calculations, and sample dispatch from our corporate hub in Navi Mumbai and R&D lab in Bhandup.

SECTOR MATRIX OVERVIEW

3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 Target Applications at a Glance

Discover how 3M™ Glass Bubbles XLD3000 enables extra low density, 3,000 psi survival, thermal insulation, acoustic deadening, and buoyancy across major industrial sectors[cite: 4].

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Syntactic

Deep Water Syntactic Foams

Producing strong, low thermal conductivity voids that survive 3,000 psi subsea hydrostatic pressures[cite: 4].

Syntactic Foam 3,000 psi
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Acoustics

Acoustic & Sound Deadening

Damping noise, structural vibration, and harmonics in sprayable acoustic coatings and rubber parts[cite: 4].

Sound Deadening Noise Damping
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Buoyancy

Buoyancy & Thermoset Rubber

Providing 99% flotation efficiency while controlling thermal expansion and density in rubber[cite: 4].

99% Flotation Thermoset Rubber
Procure

3M™ Glass Bubbles iM16K

Connect with our Navi Mumbai technical sales desk to request evaluation sample kits, Technical Data Sheets (TDS), or pricing for 3M™ Glass Bubbles Grade iM16K[cite: 3].

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