cenosphere

Cenospheres are hollow ceramic microspheres found in fly ash, anatural by-product of coal combustion during the generation of electricpower. Small and hollow, micropheres are used as fillers or functionalextenders in the manufacture of plastics, paints, resins; lightweight aggregates for cement, ceramics and other construction products.Because cenospheres often replace mined materials, they can significantlylower production costs. Simultaneously, cenospheres can benefitfinished product properties by increasing durability and bettersound proofing. Too, as material recycled from flyash, cenospheresare environmentally friendly and help to preserve natural virginfillers.As a portion of the flyash generated in coal combustion, cenospheresare recycled from the waste stream. They are made up of inert silica,iron and alumina. Cenospheres have a size range from 1 to 300 micronswith an average compressive strength of 3000+ psi.. Colors rangefrom white to dark gray. They are also referred to as microspheres,hollow spheres, hollow ceramic microspheres, microballoons, or glassbeads.The spherical shape of cenospheres improves flowability in mostapplications and provides a more even distribution of the fillermaterial. The natural properties of cenospheres make it possibleto use them either in dry or wet slurry form. Cenospheres are easyto handle and provide a low surface area-to-volume ratio. Due totheir inert properties, they are not affected by solvents, water,acids, or alkalis, cenospheres are 75% lighter than other mineralscurrently used as a filler or extender and are 30% lighter thanThe mainly advantages of using cenospheres including:(1) Reduced Raw Materials Cost(2) Improved Flowability(3) Reduced Resin Demand(4) Improved Insulation Values(5) Reduced End Product Weight(6) Resistant to Resin Absorption Chemical PropertiesSilica-65%Alumina25%-35%Iron Oxidel%-5%Titania-1.5%Physical PropertiesSize10-350 micronspH in Water 6.0-8.0Density23-28 lbs.per cubic ft.Gravity0.6-0.8Strength3000 - 5000lbs, per square in.Softening Point1800 degreesFShapeSphericalColorGrey - LightGrey - Off White