Compression Test on Hollow Beaded Glass by Micro Compression Testing Machine

Introduction

Inorganic fillers, such as calcium carbonate or talc, are mixed into plastic and rubber products for various purposes such as adding functionality (e.g. improved shrinkability, heat resistance and mechanical strength) and reducing costs. However, since these inorganic fillers have a larger specific gravity than plastic and rubber materials, they have a disadvantage in that they increase the product weight. On the other hand, hollow beaded glass, whose use has started spreading recently, is gaining the spotlight since it solves the problems with inorganic fillers described above, ensuring lighter products with new distinctive functions such as heat insulation and moisture-retaining qualities. However, care must be taken to prevent hollow glass beads from breaking when they are being mixed in, so their strength must also be ascertained. The following introduces an example of a compression test performed on hollow glass beads using the "MCT-W500 Micro Compression Testing Machine".

October 22, 2010 GMT