Akzo Nobel Industrial Coatings sp. z o.o.

Expancel microspheres are small spherical polymer particles. They consist of a polymer shell that encapsulates a gas. When the microspheres are heated, the pressure of the gas inside increases and the thermoplastic shell softens. This results in a very large increase in the volume of the microspheres, and their density decreases from 1.1 g/cm3 to 0.025 g/cm3.
EXPANCEL Expandable Microspheres have two main applications:

• physical blowing agent,
• lightweight filler

As a blowing agent, EXPANCEL Microspheres are used in the following industries:

• plastics processing – injection moulding and extrusion,
• rubber processing
• coating – production of artificial leather,
• screen printing – production of puff printing inks,
• paper production.

As a blowing agent, the microspheres provide:

• weight reduction – lower raw material consumption,
• 100% closed-cell structure,
• uniform foaming with much smaller cells than chemical blowing agents,
• foaming at low temperatures.

As a lightweight filler, EXPANCEL Microspheres are used in the following industries:

• paint production,
• production of adhesives and sealants,
• production of polyester or epoxy putties and laminates,
• production of engineered stone / cultured marble.

As a lightweight filler, the microspheres provide:

• reduced product weight,
• increased yield / lower costs,
• reduced shrinkage during curing,
• improved flexibility,
• a range of other beneficial properties in the products in which they are used.

To find out more about how EXPANCEL Microspheres can improve your product, visit www.akzonobel.com/expancel/ or contact us.