3M™ Glass Bubbles for Transportation Design

Drive down vehicle weight.

Lightweighting with 3M™ Glass Bubbles helps improve fuel economy, contributing to sustainability.
Pack light.

Hollow glass microspheres reduce part weight, leading to lower aircraft fuel consumption.
Light. Bright. Beautiful.

3M™ Glass Bubbles help reduce vehicle weight while maintaining Class A paintable surface and other desirable physical properties.

3M™ Glass Bubbles for Transportation

From highways to the airways, off-road and on the water – everywhere you go, 3M helps you get there, with smarter, more efficient vehicles. In an industry where every ounce counts, lightweighting with 3M™ Glass Bubbles can shed pounds per vehicle. Lighter weight vehicles are more fuel efficient. On a small scale, that means filling up at the pump less often. Across an entire fleet, manufacturers can more easily meet weight reduction targets and emissions standards.

These high-strength, low-density hollow glass microspheres enable weight reductions of up to 15% or more in many plastics, thermosets, structural foams and sheet- and bulk-molded composites, all while maintaining desirable physical properties – including the ability to deliver a Class A surface finish.

Automotive and Commercial Vehicles

3M glass bubbles can be used in a variety of interior and exterior automotive and commercial vehicle applications, from pillar trim and central consoles to the hood, fenders, tire tubs and much more. Other applications include auto body filler, lightweight seam sealer and underbody coatings.

Case study: Hanil E-Hwa (PDF, 123 KB)

Case study: SMC (PDF, 442 KB)

Case study: TPO (PDF, 495 KB)

Article: 2016 Corvette (PDF, 610 KB)

Article: SPE award (PDF, 235 KB)
Aircraft

Interior cabin components filled with 3M glass bubbles can potentially save several pounds per aircraft. Extended to an entire fleet over a 15-year operating life, this can translate to significant total fuel savings, in addition to important reductions in carbon emissions.

Case study: REHAU (PDF, 97 KB)

Video: Interview with REHAU at NPE 2012
Recreational and Marine Vehicles

3M glass bubbles can help reduce the weight of sheet molded and injection molded components in watercraft and other recreational vehicles, helping reduce fuel consumption. Potential applications include jet skis, boats, ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles and more. 3M glass bubbles can also help reduce shrinkage and warpage in lightweight marine putties.

Support

3M glass bubbles are supported by our global sales, technical and customer service resources. Contact us for more information, including formulation assistance or questions about a specific application.

Call 800-367-8905 (7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Central)

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3M™ Glass Bubbles are intended for industrial applications and manufactured to industrial specifications in conformance with various recognized industrial quality standards. These products are not intended, designed, manufactured or labeled for sale to or use by consumers, or for medical device, food/food supplement/food additive, drug, or cosmetics applications. 3M Advanced Materials Division (3M) will assess the intended use of 3M™ Glass Bubbles and reserves the right not to sample, sell or supply if 3M determines that it is not in a position to support the intended use of 3M™ Glass Bubbles.

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Drive down vehicle weight.