Bubbles that help build a better car.

What helps today’s cars shed a few pounds and perform more efficiently?

In their drive to build lighter, more nimble fuel efficient vehicles, automotive manufacturers and suppliers have worked with our team of scientists to help achieve strict industry-mandated weight reduction requirements. This collaboration resulted in the application of our technology to help reduce the weight of plastic parts by up to 15%. How? By infusing plastics with glass bubbles.

Made from a water resistant and chemically-stable soda-lime borosilicate glass, 3M™ Glass Bubbles are light, hollow spheres that still retain great strength. They can be used in a variety of automotive applications, such as thermoplastics, sheet and bulk molding composites, underbody coatings, structural foams, and auto body fillers to help reduce weight.

Thanks to our work with auto manufacturers around the world, glass bubbles from 3M are helping car companies bring the lightest, and highest-performing cars to market.