microballoons on ebay

[mickc22]

was looking around ebay for some RTV silicone when I found this guy Tomps in the Resin Fillers section he\'s got a couple of sorts of microballoons, just thought I\'d share

 

[Gilvan Blight]

Just what are microballons and what do they have to do with sculpting?

 

[supervike]

Microballons are the same think that are sold as TEKSTAR Snowflakes....very fine particles that models snow very well.

They are used as a filler for resin and glues in manufacturing, but you can buy it uber cheaply when not packaged specifically for \'snow\'.

 

[Gilvan Blight]

Thanks. Would have never guessed.

Looking at the site, I was thinking there were something you melted down for sculpting.

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

Just make sure when buying Microballons that you get the white ones..and not the red ones.. as red makes funny looking snow lol Trust me I ordered them once and didnt pay attention..and I got red instead of white.

Now working with them, since they are almost lighter than air, Id reccomend wearing a good dust mask as you don\'t want to inhale them and use them in an area thats easy to clean up. Trust me a sneeze will send them flying everywhere.

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

Originally posted by supervike
but you can buy it uber cheaply when not packaged specifically for \'snow\'.

Yup.. I was thinking about packageing my own snow for resale, I found a place that would sell a 5 gallon pail for like $30.00

Thats about a 1000 techstar packages worth.. but the stuff is so messy I thought different about it for right now.

 

[airhead]

Microballoons are a thickening and lightening agent for resins. They make castings lighter and more workable.

PROPERTIES:
Specific gravity: 0.18
Effective Particle Density: 11.2 lb / cu ft
Surface pH: 7.0
Free moisture by weight: 0.4%
Dry bulk density: 0.13 g/cc (8 lb/cu ft)
Thermal conductivity (K): 0.36
Average particle size: 75 microns
Melting point: 2300°F
Natural Color: White
ASTM D1483 Oil Adsorption, g oil/100cc: 30
Water Adsorption: 0.3% max
Average Particle Size: 75 microns
Particle Size Range: 1-300 microns
Approximate compressive crush strength: 1,800 psi


CHEMICAL ANALYSIS:
73% SiO2
17% Al2O3
5% K2O
3% Na2O
1% CaO
+ trace elements

West Marine sells 4 lb. cans ( 2.5 gallon bucket) for under $250. That is a lot of balloons. But most radio controlled plane shops carry quart bottles for around $10 (Tower hobbies if you need to look). That is a lifetime supply for most mini painter\'s needs.

 

[hakoMike]

Originally posted by airhead
Average Particle Size: 75 microns
Particle Size Range: 1-300 microns

Yeah, that\'s the problem. Realistic snow should be in the 400-450 micron range, or it doesn\'t accurately model the radial crystalline formation matrix... of... the.... yeah, I got nothing.

So it makes snow, eh?

 

[airhead]

Originally posted by hakoMike
Yeah, that\'s the problem. ... it doesn\'t accurately model the radial crystalline formation matrix... of... the.... yeah, I got nothing.

Add a bit of alum on the top just before the glue dries if you want shiney reflective snow (like the stuff that has a bit of crust on it)

 

[mickc22]

what is alum exactly, well doesn\'t have to be that exact...

 

[Gilvan Blight]

Originally posted by airhead
Microballoons are a thickening and lightening agent for resins. They make castings lighter and more workable.

PROPERTIES:
Specific gravity: 0.18
Effective Particle Density: 11.2 lb / cu ft
Surface pH: 7.0
Free moisture by weight: 0.4%
Dry bulk density: 0.13 g/cc (8 lb/cu ft)
Thermal conductivity (K): 0.36
Average particle size: 75 microns
Melting point: 2300°F
Natural Color: White
ASTM D1483 Oil Adsorption, g oil/100cc: 30
Water Adsorption: 0.3% max
Average Particle Size: 75 microns
Particle Size Range: 1-300 microns
Approximate compressive crush strength: 1,800 psi


CHEMICAL ANALYSIS:
73% SiO2
17% Al2O3
5% K2O
3% Na2O
1% CaO
+ trace elements

West Marine sells 4 lb. cans ( 2.5 gallon bucket) for under $250. That is a lot of balloons. But most radio controlled plane shops carry quart bottles for around $10 (Tower hobbies if you need to look). That is a lifetime supply for most mini painter\'s needs.

Oh THOSE microballoons!

 

[matty1001]

I always thought they were hot air ballons for mice, how wrong i was. :no:

 

[mickc22]

here\'s a link to the 3M Data Sheet for glass bubbles, as they call them
It\'s a printable PDF

 

[airhead]

alum is found in the spice rack at the grocery stores. A small can (1 oz) wil do a LOT of minis.