3M™ Glass Bubbles for Lightweight Seam
Sealants and Underbody Coatings

Your coatings aren’t just lighter.
They’re better.
Compounders and automotive OEM designers
can be more confident than ever that their seamsealant and underbody coatings help reduce
vehicle weight – and still meet a rangeof requirements, now and for the future.

Lighter weight coatings –and much moreLong proven as a reliable solution for automotive
lightweighting, 3M™ Glass Bubbles are hollow
glass microspheres that replace heavier fillers
such as calcium carbonate. 3M Glass Bubbles
contributes to lower overall vehicle weight,
helping OEM designers meet increasinglystringent industry and government standards
and helping OEM designers improve battery
range and life in electric and hybrid vehicles.

Benefits• Can be used in multiple sealing applications• Helps reduce plastisol weight up
to 40% – higher if applied using
precision automated equipment• Allows increased volume loading
while maintaining viscosity,
helping reduce resin cost
• Low aspect ratio enables fasterwettability and dispersion• Produces surfaces that are easily
skived (trimmed to desired thickness)• Can reduce sag on vertical applications• High strength and pressure stableto achieve consistent, low density
in multi-seal applications• Helps reduce equipment wear
compared to irregular fillers• Certain grades of 3M™ Glass Bubbles canhelp enable a Class A paintable surface

Developed specifically for plastisol production
today and tomorrow, 3M Glass Bubbles can
reduce the weight of plastisols used in seamsealants and underbody coatings by up to40% – even higher if the coatings are applied
using precision automated equipment. Best of all,3M Glass Bubbles can enable durable, lightweightcoatings with a Class A paintable finish.

Reducing the cost of
regulatory complianceTo achieve mandated reductions in their useof PVC, automakers must increasingly choose
sealants and coatings with more expensive resins
such as acrylics. Adding 3M Glass Bubbles tothe resin mix can help automakers minimize
this added cost to suppliers and OEMs.

Customer results may vary depending on
formulation and application technique. For
questions regarding bubble usage for seam sealingand underbody coating applications, contact
3M technical support at 1-800-367-8905.

3M™ Glass Bubbles for Lightweight Seam
Sealants and Underbody Coatings

Lightweight
Plastisol
Accelerated
Equipment
Wear Study
Lightweightplastisol
accelerated
equipment
wear study
Bubblesvs Standard Density
3M™ Glassvs. StandardDensity
3M™ Glass Bubbles
Typical loading and pressure

High loading and pressure
Glass Bubble Breakage (vol%)Total nozzle orifice area increase (x)

1.60

8.0%

Standard Density
1.40
1.20

Legacy Glass Bubble Technology
Current Glass Bubble Technology

1.00
8.8%

0.80

1.8%

0.60

1.1%
0.20
0.00

40% vol
Glass Bubbles
2000 psi @ pump1000 psi @ nozzle

Current 3M Glass Bubble technology
enables ultralight weight plastisol
formulations (<1.0 g/cc) that should
demonstrate similar wear on the nozzle
as the standard density formulation. ​Results at higher loadings andpressures indicate that less attention
is needed on pump systems
and pressures to minimize breakage. ​0.40

Pressures at Pump
and Nozzle

Based on the results from theaccelerated wear lab study:​50% vol
Glass Bubbles
3000 psi @ pump1500 psi @ nozzle

Application Examples

Typical Reduction with 3M™ Glass Bubbles
Component

Heavyweight(Control)

Lightweight with
3M™ Glass Bubbles

PVC Resin
Plasticizer
Diluent
Filler
3M™ Glass Bubbles
DensityDensity Reduction (%)

30 vol%41 vol%7 vol%
22 vol%11.5–13 lbs/gal-25 vol%
35 vol%6 vol%
4 vol%
30-50 vol%6.5–8 lbs/gal
35–50%• Non-paintable interior
seam seal• Underbody sealer• Hem seal / cosmetic
seal / paintable seal
• Anti-chip• Roof ditch

Warranty, Limited Remedy, and Disclaimer: Many factors beyond 3M’s control and uniquely within user’s knowledge andcontrol can affect the use and performance of a 3M product in a particular application. User is solely responsible for evaluating
the 3M and determining whether it is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user’s method of application. User is solelyresponsible for evaluating third party intellectual property rights and for ensuring that user’s use of 3M product does not violate
any third party intellectual property rights. Unless a different warranty is specifically stated in the applicable product literatureor packaging insert, 3M warrants that each 3M product meets the applicable 3M product specification at the time 3M ships theproduct. 3M MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITEDTO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ORANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF NON-INFRINGEMENT OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITION ARISING OUT OF ACOURSE OF DEALING, CUSTOM OR USAGE OF TRADE. If the 3M product does not conform to this warranty, then the soleand exclusive remedy is, at 3M’s option, replacement of the 3M product or refund of the purchase price.
Limitation of Liability: Except where prohibited by law, 3M will not be liable for any loss or damages arising from the 3M
product, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including
warranty, contract, negligence or strict liability.
Technical Information: Technical information, recommendations, and other statements contained in this document or provided
by 3M personnel are based on tests or experience that 3M believes are reliable, but the accuracy or completeness of suchinformation is not guaranteed. As to such information 3M makes no warranties or conditions, express or implied, including,but not limited to, any warranty or condition of non-infringement of a third party’s intellectual property rights or warranty
or condition of technical or commercial success. Such information is intended for persons with knowledge and technicalskills sufficient to assess and apply their own informed judgment to the information. No license under any 3M or third party
intellectual property rights is granted or implied with this information.

3M Advanced Materials Division
3M Center
St. Paul, MN 55144 USAPhone 1-800-367-8905
Web www.3M.com/autoglassbubbles

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All rights reserved. Issued: 5/21 16746HB
98-0212-4282-5 Rev. C