3AB Fine Glass Bead: A Glass

A glass bead are manufactured from a soda lime glass composition, like window glass. The refractive index of A-glass is 1.51 - 1.52.

3AB 3A bead LTD. supplies fine grade microsphere products for a variety of high performance applications in paints and coatings. Scrub, abrasion and stain resistance, enhanced flow, pigment properties, corrosion resistance are among the qualities that formulators can look for with microsphere modified formulas.
Significant VOC reduction is possible for many applications incorporating microspheres at high loading levels. FINE BEAD can be used in thermal and acoustic insulation applications and titanium dioxide extension.

FINE solid glass spheres, with a density of 2.5 g/cc, are available in particle sizes small enough for use in a wide range of paints and coatings applications, including topcoats.

In general, smaller spheres improve impact strength. Larger spheres tend to improve flow properties.