Eps foam is the correct term for any form of expanded polystyrene. Static and dynamic mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene eps is a lightweight cellular plastic material consisting of small hollow spherical balls that are expanded through a molding process in our factories to create a cost effective, highly efficient material used in hundreds of different applications. Strong and durable offers longterm reusability low compressive creep makes it ideal for longterm stacking excellent cushioning characte. Typical properties of expanded polystyrene michigan foam. The graph bars on the material properties cards further below compare ps to. Project report on polystyrene ps linkedin slideshare. Mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene lightweight aggregate concrete. Properties, performance and design fundamentals of. Polystyrene and styrene copolymers wiley online library. We are going to focus on these applications by putting them into three main categories and underline the properties that make eps ideal for each one. Overview of materials for expanded polystyrene eps, this property data is a summary of similar materials in the matweb database for the category expanded polystyrene eps. Properties of polystyrene physical properties the density of polystyrene can vary from 10kgm3 to 50kgm3. In this study, mix proportion parameters of expanded polystyrene eps lightweight aggregate concrete are.
It is the largest commodity polymer produced in the. The use of expanded polystyrene eps insulation products significantly reduces the energy requirements for both heating and cooling in any structures where it is applied. Unfilled polystyrene is amorphous, and has a glassy, sparkling appearance. Datasheet for typical physical properties of expanded polystyrene eps or styrofoam from universal foam products. In this paper, the evaluation of the mechanical and hygrothermal properties of expanded polystyrenesanded lightweight concrete epslc was examined. Eps is used for food containers, molded sheets for building insulation, and packing material either as solid blocks formed to accommodate the item being protected or. An important property of extruded polystyrene is its buoyancy or ability to float in water. Properties of eps eps has been a material of choice for over half a century because of its technical versatility, performance and cost effectiveness.
This page shows summary ranges across both of them. It is the air that provides the insulation and the job of the polystyrene is to keep the air very still so that hardly any convection occurs. Now that we have seen the structure of polystyrene, let us delve a little deeper into its properties. Although it is a closedcell foam, both expanded and extruded polystyrene are not entirely waterproof or vaporproof. In addition astm standard specification for rigid, cellular polystyrene rcps thermal insulation c 578 is discussed. Expanded polystyrene eps and the environmentpage 4 applications and properties of eps the range of applications for expanded polystyrene is very wide. Each property range of values reported is minimum and maximum values of. Download the datasheet on expanded polystyrene in pdf format. It is a coloured plastic with good impact properties. Expanded polystyrene eps refers to a rigid, tough and lightweight thermoplastic product. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view download pdf for offline viewing. The extruded polystyrene foam is a fine laminate that is only 23 mm thick.
A discussion is provided explaining insulated concrete form icf systems and structural insulated panels sips and how the properties of eps foam are suited to meet the unique requirements of these systems. The process was developed in collaboration with the renowned fraunhofer institute ivv freising and creacycle gmbh. Nov 01, 2016 high impact polystyrene, it is a tough, rigid plastic material with high impact strength. Expanded polystyrene eps is a rigid and light weight insulation material with various properties such as shock absorption, resistance to humidity, resistance to compression, retention to vitamin c, hygienic, and resistance to chemicals. Characterization of composites based on recycled expanded polystyrene reinforced with curaua fibers. Eps foam is actually a closedcell extruded polystyrene foam. Physical properties of expanded polystyrene astm c578 property type xi type i type viii type ii type ix type xiv type xv nominal density lbft. Its wide range of properties make it an excellent choice in a wide variety of applications. Ultimate guide on foam insulation material for several years, expanded polystyrene eps has been utilized as a material of choice in several food packaging applications, costeffective and energyefficient insulation in construction applications as well as cushion transport packaging material for shock sensitive goods and many more. Polystyrene also is made into a foam material, called expanded polystyrene eps or extruded polystyrene xps, which is valued for its insulating and cushioning properties. Depending on your choice of thickness for expanded polystyrene, this translates to being only between 18% and 45% as effective as expanded polystyrene which has an rvalue of up to 2. Bextrenex polystyrene beads, to which is added a propelling.
Static and dynamic mechanical properties of expanded. It is usually white and made of pre expanded polystyrene beads. The great importance of eps recovery is related to the materials short service life and the high volume of eps waste. The properties of ps include two common variations. The flame retardant type andnormal type are distinguished by. Combined with its inexpensive cost, eps is a versatile choice and helping to save on costs and lower the structures carbon footprint. Icalite eps insulation corp, manufacturer of expanded. High impact polystyrene is a promising material for mechanical recycling since its properties are not extremely affected even after multiple processing of upto nine. Expanded polystyrene is widely used in building and construction as its inherent strength, durability, and thermal insulation properties make it an ideal choice for energy efficient buildings.
Said process essentially comprises the reduction in volume of expanded polystyrene by means of dissolution in a solvent, separation of the insoluble components, selective precipitation of the polystyrene with an antisolvent, separation, drying and extrusion of the precipitated. High impact polystyrene, it is a tough, rigid plastic material with high impact strength. Light weight eps is an extremely lightweight material. Expanded polystyrene, or eps, goes through a series of changes that take it from a small polystyrene pre expanded bead about 1mm in width to an expanded bead fourty times that diameter. Expanded polystyrene eps is a commonly used polymer in the packaging industry.
For more specific values, follow the links immediately below. The polystyrene foam products produced by fpc can be fabricated to meet your needs. Eps is supplied to molders in the form of a polystyrene bead. Expanded polystyrene physical properties expanded polystyrene has a flame spread index of 20 and a smoke developed index of 150300 when tested in accordance with astm e84ul 723 for densities from 0.
Learning objectives o define and understand how expanded polystyrene eps is manufactured o understand the environmental features and benefits of eps insulation including recyclability, leed, thermal performance, and energy efficiency. An evaluation of the water absorption and density properties. Eps is ideal for the packaging and construction industries due to its light weight, strong and excellent thermal insulation properties. Pdf recycling of expanded polystyrene from packaging.
Europe expanded polystyrene eps market growth, trends. In solution or modified bulk polymerization, the reaction takes place as the monomer is dissolved in a small amount of solvent, such as ethylbenzene. Polystyrene structure pdf structural properties of atactic polystyrene of different. Icalite brand expanded polystyrene insulation is a rigid closed cell, lightweight plastic foam manufactured by insulation corporation of america. Mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene lightweight. Foam polystyrene can be more than 95 percent air and is widely used to make home and appliance insulation, lightweight protective packaging. Or download the michigan foam products esp technical data sheet below download eps technical data sheet pdf.
Astm c 57892 type i type viii type ii type 1x property units astm test density, minimum pcf d303 or d 1622 0. Copolymer is a closed cell moldable copolymer foam which is. The modelling of chemictl structures with expanded polystyrene spheres. All you wanted to know about the amazing properties of. The eps foam have properties that depend on both topology and material 20. In expanded polystyrene there are interstitial gaps between the expanded closedcell pellets that form an open network of channels between the bonded pellets, and this network of gaps can become filled with liquid water. Versatility eps can be manufactured to almost any shape or size, or it can be easily cut and shaped when required to suit any application. In this paper, the evaluation of the mechanical and hygrothermal properties of expanded polystyrene sanded lightweight concrete epslc was examined.
It is designed for use in foundation, wall and roof insulation applications in new commercial or residential buildings. The density of polystyrene can vary from 10kgm 3 to 50kgm 3. Sep 04, 2001 polystyrene homopolymer, known as crystal polystyrene in the trade, is an amorphous, colorless, and transparent commodity thermoplastic. Properties, performance and design fundamentals of expanded polystyrene packaging expanded polystyrene expanded polystyrene eps is a generic term for polystyrene and styrene copolymers that are expanded into a variety of useful products. Production of eps expanded polystyrene eps market to reach usd 23. Resistant to tearing, puncturing, cracking and flaking. Expanded polystyrene market size, share industry forecast, 2026. Eps has been a material of choice for over half a century because of its technical versatility, performance and cost effectiveness. Uses of polystyrene polystyrene foams are used for a variety of applications because of its excellent set of properties including good thermal insulation, good damping properties and being extremely light weight. It is rigid, brittle, relatively hard and has excellent gamma radiation resistance, good electrical properties but has poor chemical and uv resistance. Originally discovered by eduard simon in 1839 in germany by accident, eps foam is more than 95% air and only about 5% plastic. It is widely used in many everyday applications where its light weight, strength, durability, thermal insulation and shock absorption characteristics provide economic, high performance products. We provide our clients with customized polystyrene foam materials including expanded and extruded polystyrene products. Jun 18, 2015 depending on your choice of thickness for expanded polystyrene, this translates to being only between 18% and 45% as effective as expanded polystyrene which has an rvalue of up to 2.
Bextrenex polystyrene beads, to which is added a propelling agent. Eps expanded polystyrene is a closedcell rigid foam and one of the most costeffective materials on the market. Dynamic compressive strength and crushing properties of. Nov 05, 2018 expanded polystyrene eps refers to a rigid, tough and lightweight thermoplastic product. The process of preexpansion involves very precise measurements of timing, pressure variables, and high temperature steam in our hirschgruppe preexpander and. Polystyrene foams are composed of mostly of air, making them incredibly buoyant, in addition to being lightweight. Expanded polystyrene eps is a rigid and tough, closedcell foam with a normal density range of 11 to 32 kgm 3.
High impact polystyrene is a promising material for mechanical recycling since its properties are not extremely affected even. Bouillonlagrange did extensive research on liquid styrax in his study called on the origin and properties of liquid styrax which was delivered to the medical society of paris. Characterization of composites based on recycled expanded. Expanded polystyrene eps is commonly used in a variety of applications because of its features of light weight, good thermal. Eps is generally white and made of preexpanded polystyrene beads. Polystyrene, polyethenylbenzene, lustrex, styron, vestyron, styrofoam. Polystyrene ps is a clear, amorphous, nonpolar commodity thermoplastic that is easy to process and that can be easily converted into a large number of semifinished products like foams, films, and sheets. Expanded polystyrene eps is commonly used in a variety of applications because of its features of light weight, good thermal insulation, moisture resistance, durability, acoustic absorption and low thermal conductivity. Epcs recycling plants for expanded polystyrene eps are not only highly efficient, but also offer a profitable and environmentally friendly recycling for different ps polystyrene and eps waste. Expanded polystyrene eps is the generic industry name used for white rigid material made from the expanded polystyrene beads. Raw material expanded polystyrene is made from expandable polystyrene, which is a rigid cellular plastic containing an expansion agent. The invention relates to an enhanced process for the recycling of expanded polystyrene.