Phantom Fillers^™

This website is all about functional fillers for plastics, coatings and adhesives. You will learn what functional fillers are available and how to choose the right one for your application. Do you need to reduce weight in an automobile? Perhaps you would like to lower CTE in an epoxy formulation. These are common questions that people come across and don’t know where to get the answers.

All too often, people find only information on the minerals themselves, leaving you more confused than when you started. Here we take a more pragmatic approach. The information is presented according to the type of problem you are trying to solve. First you will find a concise explanation about the mineral properties that help  and then a ranking which tells you which minerals to consider, for example good, better and best.

Of course, once you have discovered the best alternative, you will want to know where to get samples and from a reputable supplier, so that is covered as well. In just a few minutes you will understand the solution and have a sample on the way, so you can get started with your evaluations.

The fillers industry is a multi-billion dollar business and the main minerals are calcium carbonate, talc, mica, clays, silicas and carbon black. Here you will find information on them all from someone who has spent their whole career working in this field. I’ve written book and encyclopedia chapters for those who like to dive in deep but this site is all about keeping the message simple so that you can find what you need right away. You will also find helpful information on new lesser-known specialty fillers and the latest developments, so you can stay ahead of the competition.

If you have a quick problem to solve then check the dropdown Solutions menu. For example, if you want reinforcement, lower CTE, better gloss or flame retardancy, that’s all covered. If you want to know more about the additives themselves then click on the Minerals & Materials dropdown menu to select the common and specialty filler options.

You will get an impartial overview of all the options and I can be impartial because I’m not selling you anything. This site was created on my own time to share what I’ve learned for the next generation. I sell no mineral products, so I can steer you in the right direction with no vested interest. That’s right, I receive nothing apart from the satisfaction of providing a resource for you to share. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions of what you’d like to see added.