Thermoplastic microspheres
Unexpanded Expancel thermoplastic microspheres are small plastic particles that contain a droplet of liquid hydrocarbon. When heated, the plastic shells soften and the liquid builds pressure causing the particles to expand. The result is gas filled, thin walled particles of extremely low density. The particles are compressible and resilient, and these properties are transferred to the material or component to which they have been added. The closed cell microspheres are good thermal and acoustic insulators.
Expancel is available in expanded or unexpanded forms for different applications. In the heat activatable, unexpanded form Expancel is used as a foaming agent for expandable coatings and gap-filling adhesives, intumescent coatings and sealants, puff ink, as well as extruded and molded plastic items. The pre-expanded form of Expancel is an ultra-low density, resilient filler used in thermoset polyester resins, compressible elastomers, vibration damping materials, paint, roof coatings, adhesives, sealants, and prosthetic devices.
Contact: Eka Chemicals Inc., Duluth, GA, USA.
For more information, see Transmaterial 3: A Catalog of Materials that Redefine our Physical Environment
