Neutrally Buoyant in Water – Microspheres with Specific Gravity of 1g/cc

Cospheric offers polymer microspheres with specific gravity of 1g/cc are specifically designed to match the density of water for optimal suspension of particles. Suspension of microspheres in water enables the visualization and characterization of fluid flow and testing the capability of devices to withstand particulate matter in the fluid stream, ensuring that microspheres do not settle and do not float on the surface.  Most of these polymer microspheres are at least moderately opaque and clearly visible in water, clear or translucent liquids.

Many Colors are available in sizes from 10um up to 1180um,  of polyethylene microspheres are available with specific density of 1g/cc, designed for optimum suspension in water for fluid flow visualization.  Colors include Violet, Orange, Yellow, Fluorescent, Grey, Pink, Blue.

Phosphorescent Microspheres – Long Afterglow Particles

Phosphorecent Beads - Yellow Green Afterglow

Phosphorescent microspheres in particle sizes 10 to 600 microns are now available from Cospheric LLC. These phosphorescent particles are 90% spherical and appear to be off-white under ordinary daylight or regular room illumination.  However, when the lights are turned off these phosphorescent particles exhibit phosphorescent yellow-green after-glow.

The spheres have tight particle size distributions and are > 90% within size range.  Polymer spheres that incorporate proprietary phosphorescent ingredient have a melting point of 115°C , and are mechanically stable past 90°C.  Phosphorescent beads are also inert in most solvents.

Intensity of Phosphorescent Afterglow:

Intensity according to DIN 67510-1

800 mcd/m² at 1 minute
180 mcd/m² at 5 minutes
90 mcd/m² at 10 minutes
12 mcd/m² at 1 hour
5 mcd/m² at 2 hours

Excitation and Phosphorescent Emission Curve:

Density Marker Beads – Microspheres with Specific gravity of 1.065 and 1.075

Product Announcement:

Red 1.065 g/cc Spheres

In the biomedical industry researchers are sometimes looking for cells having targeted specific gravities.  In order to locate these cells in test tubes it is useful to have colored marker beads which will show where the delineation between specific densities occurs.  Two microsphere products having densities of 1.065 g/cc and 1.075 g/cc were recently released.

Blue 1.075g/cc Spheres

These spheres are offered with density tolerances of ±0.005 g/cc enabling excellent stratification, and bright blue and red coloration for high visibility with the unaided eye.

R&D Quantities are in stock and ready to purchase in sizes from 10um to 600um, larger 1kg+ quantities can be made to order to existing specifications or made to your custom color and density requirements. For more information visit:  Blue Density Marker Beads 1.075g/cc,  Red Density Marker Beads 1.065g/cc

Some Materials which have densities close to these markers are¹:

Source:
1 – Courtesy of Amersham Biosciences

Microspheres: Technologies and Global Markets

An extensive market research report titled Microspheres: Technologies and Global Markets was recently published by BCC Research marketing firm. The microspheres report examines the spherical microparticles used as components in many advanced materials and composites, in the healthcare and personal care industries, and in many specialty research and development applications. The report estimates the size of the microsphere industry worldwide and makes predictions on a 5-year compound annual growth rate of the microsphere market.

The global market for microspheres in 2010 is estimated to be $2 billion and growing at a 5–year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%, reaching global sales of $3.5 billion by 2015.

Silica Microspheres – 6 micron mean Diameter

Properties

Silica is a chemically stable inorganic synthetic material.   It has the benefit of providing no irritation to human skin.  Silica is essentially transparent, colorless and promote a high degree of slip in products.  The skin feel is generally lubricious in nature.   Spherical silica imparts exceptional lubricity to loose and pressed powder products. The effect is increased ‘play time’ and a luxurious feel.  Spherical products with mean particle size between 3 to 10 micron will scatter light on the surface of its particle, ie which are transparent, but give natural coverage.

• Properties :
  - Hollow and porous spherical powder
  - Uniform size distribution
  - Excellent dispersibility
  - Good oil absorbancy
  - Good fluidity
• Applications :
  - Emulsion products
  - Makeup products
  - Anticaking agent
  - Additive carrier and perfume carrier
• Available with Optional Silicone Coating (Dimethylpolysiloxane)
  - Increases Hydrophobicity
  - Transparent
  - Resistant to acid, alkalis, UV and moisture

Silica Microspheres are available for purchase at Cospheric in R&D quantities or bulk.