glass bead

Glass beads are small, solid spheres made from fritted glass that are passed through a hot flame. They are primarily used as an abrasive in blast cleaning and shot peening, and also in reflective paints. Hollow microspheres, used as low-density fillers, can be produced through various methods, including dissolving glass ingredients in water with a blowing agent or using alkoxide solutions.1

Abrasives are hard materials used to wear away softer surfaces. They can be natural or synthetic, with diamond being the hardest known material. Abrasives are crucial in manufacturing, used in products like grinding wheels, sandpapers, and polishes to create precise components and smooth surfaces. Historically, abrasives have been used since early human times, evolving from simple stones to sophisticated synthetic materials like silicon carbide and synthetic diamonds.2