Full General Datasheet
MICROBALLOONS
BROWN BONDING FILLER
¬ Hollow phenolic resin spheres
¬ Easy to sand, filling and filleting for cosmetic wood applications
¬ Low strength bonding of softwood
¬ Brown in colour
INTRODUCTION
Microballoons are hollow phenolic resin spheres which have a distinctive reddish/brown colouration. This makes them
particularly useful for cosmetic fillet joints and fillers in wood construction, as well as structural adhesives for less demanding
applications on softer timbers such as cedar.
Although not as waterproof as glass bubbles, microballoons are often preferred for
their excellent sanding characteristics. Microballoons are not normally used with
polyester or vinylester resins because they can be subject to styrene attack which
may cause the spheres to collapse.
When storing microballoons, it is particularly important to exclude air as they readily
absorb atmospheric moisture which will affect the performance of the filled mix.
Hollow spheres
Increase the volume and reduce the density of any resin system and are used to
make adhesive mixes and filling & fairing mixes.
¬ Microballoons: Brown microsphere filler powder used to make glues or paste
fillers
¬ Glass Bubbles: White microsphere filler powder used to make glues or paste
fillers
Short Fibres
For adding strength to a resin and hardener mix used as a structural adhesive, short reinforcing fibres are often added which act in a
similar strengthening way to the long reinforcing fibres used in composite construction.
¬ Microfibres: Cellulose fibres used to make adhesive mixes
Flow Modifiers
The most common material for modifying the flow properties of a resin mix is colloidal silica. This is a very fine powder which is added
in conjunction with other fillers to ‘thicken’ mixes and reduce their flow on vertical surfaces (increase thixotropy).
¬ Colloidal Silica: Fine, anti-sag, filler powder. Use in combination with other filler powders
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PRODUCT INFORMATION
AVAILABILITY
The product is available in a number of formats as shown in the table below. Please contact your local customer support representative for more information.
FILLER TYPE 500ML / 90G 1 - 2 LITRES / 300G 30 LITRES / 5KG 50 - 100 LITRES / 12KG NOTE
All quantities are approximate due to the low
Microballoons A225-002 A225-003 A225-005 A225-007
density nature of the fillers.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Composition: Phenolic Resin
Appearance: Red/Brown Powder
Particle Size: 50 microns
Particle Density: 250g/litre approx.
Bulk Density: 100g/litre approx.
TRANSPORT & STORAGE
COMPONENT UNITS
The product should be kept in securely closed containers during transport and storage. Adequate
long term storage conditions will result in a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. Microballoons months 24
Storage should be in a warm dry place out and containers should be firmly closed.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Below are approximate filler loadings for making adhesive and filler mixes together with AMPRO™ multi-purpose systems. For further information please refer
to the respective AMPRO™ datasheet.
FILLING AND FAIRING MIXES
All filler additions are approximate and can be adjusted by the user to achieve the desired consistency.
FILLER QUANTITY* AMPRO SILICA ADDITION*
EASE OF WATER APPROX. APPROX.
DESCRIPTION FILLER TYPE
SANDING RESISTANCE DENSITY VOLUME
% FOR 1KG % FOR 1KG
Brown, Low Density Microballons Easy Moderate 25 - 30 250 - 300 g 2-3 20 - 30 0.6 g/cm3 2.2 Litres
White, Low Density Glass Bubbles Moderate High 35 - 40 350 - 400 g 3-5 30 - 50 0.5 g/cm3 3.0 Litres
*calculated by weight relative to the mixed system of resin and hardener
ADHESIVE MIXES
All filler additions are approximate and can be adjusted by the user to achieve the desired consistency.
FILLER QUANTITY* AMPRO SILICA ADDITION* APPROX. APPROX.
DESCRIPTION FILLER TYPE
DENSITY VOLUME
% FOR 1KG % FOR 1KG
Brown, Low Density Microballons** 15 - 20 150 - 200 g 3-5 30 - 50 g 0.7 g/cm3 1.8 Litres
3
White, Low Density Glass Bubbles** 15 - 20 150 - 200 g 4-6 40 - 60 g 0.6 g/cm 2.0 Litres
Opaque, High Strength Microfibres 7 - 10 70 - 100 g 2-4 20 - 40 g 0.9 g/cm3 1.0 Litres
*calculated by weight relative to the mixed system of resin and hardener
**Microfibres are always preferred for load-carrying adhesive joints
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The following points must be considered:
1. Skin contact must be avoided by wearing protective gloves. Gurit recommends the use of disposable nitrile gloves for most applications. The use of barrier
creams is not recommended, but to preserve skin condition a moisturising cream should be used after washing.
2. Protective clothing should be worn when mixing, laminating or sanding. Contaminated work clothes should be thoroughly cleaned before re-use.
3. Eye protection should be worn if there is a risk of resin, hardener, solvent or dust entering the eyes. If this occurs flush the eye with water for 15 minutes,
holding the eyelid open, and seek medical attention.
4. Ensure adequate ventilation in work areas. Respiratory protection should be worn if there is insufficient ventilation. Solvent vapours should not be inhaled
as they can cause dizziness, headaches, loss of consciousness and can have long term health effects.
5. If the skin becomes contaminated, then the area must be immediately cleansed. The use of resin-removing cleansers is recommended. To finish, wash
with soap and warm water. The use of solvents on the skin to remove resins etc must be avoided.
Washing should be part of routine practice:
¬ before eating or drinking
¬ before smoking & vaping
¬ before using the lavatory
¬ after finishing work
6. The inhalation of sanding dust should be avoided and if it settles on the skin then it should be washed off. After more extensive sanding operations a
shower/bath and hair wash is advised.
APPLICABLE RISK & SAFETY PHRASES
Gurit produces a separate full Safety Data Sheet for all hazardous products. Please ensure that you have the correct SDS to hand for the materials you are
using before commencing work.
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NOTICE
All advice, instruction or recommendation is given in good faith but the selling Gurit entity
(the Company) only warrants that advice in writing is given with reasonable skill and care.
No further duty or responsibility is accepted by the Company. All advice is given subject to
the terms and conditions of sale (the Conditions) which are available on request from the
Company or may be viewed at Gurit’s Website: www.gurit.com/terms-and-conditions.aspx
The Company strongly recommends that Customers make test panels in the final process
conditions and conduct appropriate testing of any goods or materials supplied by the
Company prior to final use to ensure that they are suitable for the Customer’s planned
application. Such testing should include testing under conditions as close as possible to
those to which the final component may be subjected. The Company specifically excludes
any warranty of fitness for purpose of the goods other than as set out in writing by the
Company. Due to the varied nature of end-use applications, the Company does, in particular,
not warrant that the test panels in the final process conditions and/or the final component
pass any fire standards.
The Company reserves the right to change specifications and prices without notice and
Customers should satisfy themselves that information relied on by the Customer is that which
is currently published by the Company on its website. Any queries may be addressed to the
Technical Services Department.
Gurit is continuously reviewing and updating literature. Please ensure that you have the
current version by contacting your sales contact and quoting the revision number in the
bottom left-hand corner of this page.
TECHNICAL CONTACT INFORMATION
For all other enquiries such as technical queries:
Telephone + 44 1983 828000 (08:30 – 17:00 GMT)
Email
[email protected] 24-HOUR CHEMICAL EMERGENCY NUMBER
For advice on chemical emergencies, spillages, fires or exposures:
Europe +44 1273 289451
Americas +1 646 844 7309
APAC +65 3158 1412
E [email protected]
W www.gurit.com
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