Abstract: The invention provides a plurality of polymeric particles embedded with silicate that include gas-filled polymeric microelements. The gas-filled polymeric microelements have a shell and a density of 5 g/liter to 200 g/liter. The shell having an outer surface and a diameter of 5 ?m to 200 ?m with silicate particles embedded in the polymer. The silicate particles have an average particle size of 0.01 to 3 ?m. The silicate-containing regions are spaced to coat less than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements; and less than 0.1 weight percent total of the polymeric microelements is associated with i) silicate particles having a particle size of greater than 5 ?m; ii) silicate-containing regions covering greater than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements; and iii) polymeric micro elements agglomerated with silicate particles to an average cluster size of greater than 120 ?m.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad useful for polishing at least one of semiconductor, magnetic and optical substrates. It includes a polymeric matrix having a polishing surface. Polymeric microelements are distributed within the polymeric matrix and at the polishing surface of the polymeric matrix. Silicate-containing regions distributed within each of the polymeric microelements coat less than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements. Less than 0.1 weight percent total of the polymeric microelements are associated with i) silicate particles having a particle size of greater than 5 ?m; ii) silicate-containing regions covering greater than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements; and iii) polymeric microelements agglomerated with silicate particles to an average cluster size of greater than 120 ?m.

Abstract: The method provides a method of preparing a silicate-containing polishing pad useful for polishing at least one of semiconductor, magnetic and optical substrates. The method includes introducing a feed stream of gas-filled polymeric microelements into a gas jet. The polymeric microelements have varied densities, varied wall thickness and varied particle size. Passing the gas-filled microelements in the gas jet adjacent a Coanda block, the Coanda block having a curved wall for separates the polymeric microelements with Coanda effect, inertia and gas flow resistance. The coarse polymeric microelements from the curved wall of the Coanda block to clean the polymeric microelements. The polymeric microelements collected contain less than 0.

Abstract: The invention provides a plurality of polymeric particles embedded with silicate that include gas-filled polymeric microelements. The gas-filled polymeric microelements have a shell and a density of 5 g/liter to 200 g/liter. The shell having an outer surface and a diameter of 5 ?m to 200 ?m with silicate particles embedded in the polymer. The silicate particles have an average particle size of 0.01 to 3 ?m. The silicate-containing regions are spaced to coat less than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements; and less than 0.1 weight percent total of the polymeric microelements is associated with i) silicate particles having a particle size of greater than 5 ?m; ii) silicate-containing regions covering greater than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements; and iii) polymeric micro elements agglomerated with silicate particles to an average cluster size of greater than 120 ?m.

Abstract: The method provides a method of preparing a silicate-containing polishing pad useful for polishing at least one of semiconductor, magnetic and optical substrates. The method includes introducing a feed stream of gas-filled polymeric microelements into a gas jet. The polymeric microelements have varied densities, varied wall thickness and varied particle size. Passing the gas-filled microelements in the gas jet adjacent a Coanda block, the Coanda block having a curved wall for separates the polymeric microelements with Coanda effect, inertia and gas flow resistance. The coarse polymeric microelements from the curved wall of the Coanda block to clean the polymeric microelements. The polymeric microelements collected contain less than 0.

Abstract: The invention provides a polishing pad useful for polishing at least one of semiconductor, magnetic and optical substrates. It includes a polymeric matrix having a polishing surface. Polymeric microelements are distributed within the polymeric matrix and at the polishing surface of the polymeric matrix. Silicate-containing regions distributed within each of the polymeric microelements coat less than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements. Less than 0.1 weight percent total of the polymeric microelements are associated with i) silicate particles having a particle size of greater than 5 ?m; ii) silicate-containing regions covering greater than 50 percent of the outer surface of the polymeric microelements; and iii) polymeric microelements agglomerated with silicate particles to an average cluster size of greater than 120 ?m.