FINEFLAKE™ / DURAFLAKE™
Glass flakes have submicron-level thickness. With a high aspect ratio, this inorganic filler promises to reinforce resin molded products, improve dimensional stability and provide mechanical strength.
Product summary
FINEFLAKE™/DURAFLAKE™ have mean thickness of less than 1µm and particle size of 1 to 2,000µm. It is flake shape glass material with a smaller particle size than FLEKA®, however, the flake has a higher aspect ratio (thickness/particle size ratio). In the same way as FLEKA®, surface treatment is applied to improve compatibility to resin.
Sub micron thickness and small particle size allow to introduce the flake into thinner and smaller resin molded products.
3-D dimensional stability and the filling effect of glass flakes
When FINEFLAKE™ is loaded at the same weight % within the resin, there is an increase in the number of glass flakes per unit volume due to smaller thickness less than 1µm, in comparison with other flake products.
SEM image of MEG160FY (mean thickness: about 0.7µm, mean particle size: about 160µm)
Image of resin reinforced by FLEKA® and FINEFLAKE™/DURAFLAKE™
SEM image of raw glass (×10000) : FLEKA®
SEM image of raw glass (×10000) : FINEFLAKE™
SEM image of raw glass (×10000) : DURAFLAKE™
Effect from surface treatment and granulation technology
Glass flakes with average thickness of 1µm or less and an average particle size of 100µm or more are bulky and difficult to handle without surface treatment (in untreated state). FINEFLAKE™/DURAFLAKE™ have the same handling characteristics as other flake products (FLEKA® for example) thanks to surface treatment/granulation technology.
FINEFLAKE™ MEG160FY (untreated, nongranularized product)
FINEFLAKE™ MEG160FY-M01 (surface treatment, MEG160FY granularized product)
DURAFLAKE™ MEC140FY (untreated, nongranularized product)
DURAFLAKE™ MEC140FY-D01 (surface treatment, MEG160FY granularized product)
Characteristics of PA66 resin filled with FINEFLAKE™/DURAFLAKE™
Due to the high aspect ratio of FINEFLAKE™/DURAFLAKE™ and NSG’s surface treatment technology, it achieves a high level of tensile strength.
Its flexural strength is also close to that of fibrous fillers, ranking among the highest levels among non-fibrous fillers.
Dimensional stability also reaches the highest level among all fillers.
Tensile strength of FINEFLAKE™/DURAFLAKE™-filled material
Flexural strength of FINEFLAKE™/DURAFLAKE™-filled material
Warping of Fine FINEFLAKE™/DURAFLAKE™-filled material
Use in combination with glass fiber
Because dimensional stability and mechanical strength are at odds, it is also common to use it together with glass fiber.
Tensile strength of FINEFLAKE™
Warping of FINEFLAKE™
Excellent mold flowability
FINEFLAKE™ exhibits excellent mold flowability (thin-thick effect), making it highly suitable for thin-wall molding.
Mold flowability (spiral flow)
Manifestation of Barrier Effect
Even when filled into thermoplastic resins, it exhibits a barrier effect similar to glass flakes. Because it is thinner than Fleka®, it provides even higher performance.
Image of liquid penetration (Left: Without FINEFLAKE™ / Right: With FINEFLAKE™)
Water vapor transmission rate measurement comparison (resin only, chopped strand, FLEKA®, and FINEFLAKE™)
Further dimensional stability of resin molded products
Compared to FREKA®, it further suppresses dimensional changes (shrinkage) that occur during resin molding.
Comparison of dimensional stability with PA66 resin (chopped strands, flat fiber, mica, FREKA®, FINEFLAKE™, DURAFLAKE™)
FINEFLAKE™ product lineup
FINEFLAKE™ products are available with five types of surface treatment, on glass flake of average thickness 0.7µm/particle size 160µm.
Surface treatment improves adhesion to the resin and physical properties of the resin molded products, including tensile strength and bending strength.
FINEFLAKE™ product lineup
DURAFLAKE™ product lineup
DURAFLAKE™ products are available with five types of surface treatment, on glass flake of average thickness 0.35µm/particle size 140µm.
Surface treatment improves adhesion to the resin and physical properties of the resin molded products, including tensile strength and bending strength.
DURAFLAKE™ product lineup
The adopted resin is an example of using fine flakes.
Development of smaller particle size products
Glass flakes have average thickness of 0.7µm and average particle size of 5µm.
Both untreated and surface-treated products are available. The flakes can be applied to ultrasmall and ultrathin resin molded products. Compared to the conventional products with diameter of 160µm, surface smoothness of resin product is significantly improved.
Evaluation of PP (polypropylene) resin molded products (surface conditions)
Evaluation of PP (polypropylene) resin molded products (scratching test)
Glossary
Bulk density
This is a value obtained from the weight of a fixed volume and is expressed in units such as g/cm3. A value of 1 is the same as water, and the smaller the value, the greater the bulk.
Granule
This refers to the state of granulation after applying a surface treatment agent to glass flakes.
Adhesion
This shows the level of sticking status between glass flakes and resin or paint to be filled by the flake.
FAQ
How much is the bulk?
This depends on the product, but is approximately 0.2-0.5g/cm３.
How is it packaged?
Basically, 20kg of flake is packed by paper bag.
Depending on the quantity, NSG can also prepare a flexible container, so please feel free to inquire.
Could you send us a sample?
Yes, we can. Please use the inquiry form on our website or request it by phone.
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