Potters Industries Inc.

Pq Corporation

Ufuk Senturk

Raymond Jackson

John W Lau

Michael Meshey

Larry Royer

Michael P Lanci

This invention relates to inorganic microspheres having a relatively narrow particle size distribution, which may be prepared by spheridization of zeolite crystals. The microspheres are particularly useful for whitening polymer compositions and in other filler applications.

Inorganic microspheres

Glass microspheres containing a substantial percentage of spheres having two or more optically visible gas bubbles per sphere provide a high level of whitening to composite materials containing them. The volume of gas bubbles is between 8 and 35 percent of the volume of the spheres on average, and the spheres exhibit good resistance to breakage upon exposure to high pressures such as may be encountered in polymer extrusion processes. The spheres have a median particle diameter of between 5 and 100 &#x3bc;m, and at least 10% by number of the spheres incorporate at least two gas bubbles.

Glass microspheres with multiple bubble inclusions

Glass formulations, and a method of converting such glass formulations to glass beads having a refractive index of at least 1.59 and a high level of retroreflectivity, are provided. The methods and formulations provide beads also having high levels of resistance to degradation by environmental exposure.

Growing community of inventors

Bridgeport, PA, United States of America

Ufuk Senturk