Cenospheres, For Paints

Cenospheres are unique free flowing powders composed of hard shelled, hollow, minute spheres. A small proportion of the pulverised fuel ash (PFA) produced from the combustion of coal in power stations is formed as Cenospheres. Cenospheres are madeup of silica, iron and alumina. Cenospheres have a size range from 1 to 500 micronswith an average compressive strength of 3000+ psi. Colors range from white to darkgray. They are also referred to as microspheres, hollow spheres, hollow ceramicmicrospheres, microballoons, or glass beads.

The main characteristics are: Hollow spheres with spherical morphology Particle sizes ranging from sub-micron to millimeters in size. Ultra low density Low thermal conductivity High particle strength Resistant to acids Low water absorption Hollow spheres have been used for more than 20 years to improve the properties of avariety of finished consumer products. They were first introduced as an extender for plastic compounds, as they are compatible with plastisols, thermoplastics, latex, polyesters, epoxies, phenolic resins, and urethanes. Synthetic foams made with cenospheres have demonstrated superior mechanical properties when compared to those manufactured with fabricated microspheres.

The compatibility of cenospheres with specialty cements and other building materials such as coatings and composites was also quickly identified. Since that time cenospheres have been used in a wide variety of other products, including sports equipment, insulations, automobile bodies, marine craft bodies, paints, and fire and heat protection devices.