Expanded polystyrene eps is commonly used in a variety of applications because of its features of light weight, good thermal. Expanded polystyrene eps is a commonly used polymer in the packaging industry. 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. Eps foam is actually a closedcell extruded polystyrene foam. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view download pdf for offline viewing. Each property range of values reported is minimum and maximum values of. Eps expanded polystyrene is a closedcell rigid foam and one of the most costeffective materials on the market. An important property of extruded polystyrene is its buoyancy or ability to float in water. 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. 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.
High impact polystyrene is a promising material for mechanical recycling since its properties are not extremely affected even. Properties of eps eps has been a material of choice for over half a century because of its technical versatility, performance and cost effectiveness. 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. 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. 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. An evaluation of the water absorption and density properties. The invention relates to an enhanced process for the recycling of expanded polystyrene.
Bextrenex polystyrene beads, to which is added a propelling agent. Download the datasheet on expanded polystyrene in pdf format. Unfilled polystyrene is amorphous, and has a glassy, sparkling appearance. 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. 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. Icalite eps insulation corp, manufacturer of expanded. It is usually white and made of pre expanded polystyrene beads. A wellknown use of xps is the vacformed polystyrene trays used for small portions of food that we see in the supermarket. High impact polystyrene, it is a tough, rigid plastic material with high impact strength. Although it is a closedcell foam, both expanded and extruded polystyrene are not entirely waterproof or vaporproof. Icalite brand expanded polystyrene insulation is a rigid closed cell, lightweight plastic foam manufactured by insulation corporation of america. Light weight eps is an extremely lightweight material.
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. Eps is supplied to molders in the form of a polystyrene bead. Now that we have seen the structure of polystyrene, let us delve a little deeper into its properties. 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. Eps is ideal for the packaging and construction industries due to its light weight, strong and excellent thermal insulation properties. 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. Jul 30, 2018 the expanded version of polystyrene is about forty times the volume of the original polystyrene granule. Or download the michigan foam products esp technical data sheet below download eps technical data sheet pdf. In solution or modified bulk polymerization, the reaction takes place as the monomer is dissolved in a small amount of solvent, such as ethylbenzene.
We provide our clients with customized polystyrene foam materials including expanded and extruded polystyrene products. High impact polystyrene is a promising material for mechanical recycling since its properties are not extremely affected even after multiple processing of upto nine. The flame retardant type andnormal type are distinguished by. The graph bars on the material properties cards further below compare ps to. Polystyrene structure pdf structural properties of atactic polystyrene of different. The method for producing expanded polystyrene particles comprises the steps of. 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. Expanded polystyrene market size, share industry forecast, 2026. Copolymer is a closed cell moldable copolymer foam which is. Datasheet for typical physical properties of expanded polystyrene eps or styrofoam from universal foam products. 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. 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.
All you wanted to know about the amazing properties of. The process of preexpansion involves very precise measurements of timing, pressure variables, and high temperature steam in our hirschgruppe preexpander and. The great importance of eps recovery is related to the materials short service life and the high volume of eps waste. Combined with its inexpensive cost, eps is a versatile choice and helping to save on costs and lower the structures carbon footprint. Expanded polystyrene eps refers to a rigid, tough and lightweight thermoplastic product. 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. Static and dynamic mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene eps is a rigid and tough, closedcell foam with a normal density range of 11 to 32 kgm 3. In this paper, the evaluation of the mechanical and hygrothermal properties of expanded polystyrenesanded lightweight concrete epslc was examined.
Pdf recycling of expanded polystyrene from packaging. The eps foam have properties that depend on both topology and material 20. Mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene lightweight aggregate concrete. It is a coloured plastic with good impact properties. Production of eps expanded polystyrene eps market to reach usd 23. During the static tests, the youngs modulus and poissons. The process was developed in collaboration with the renowned fraunhofer institute ivv freising and creacycle gmbh. The great importance of eps recovery is related to the materials short service life and the high volume of. Typical properties of expanded polystyrene michigan foam. 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. For more specific values, follow the links immediately below.
It is designed for use in foundation, wall and roof insulation applications in new commercial or residential buildings. 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. Its wide range of properties make it an excellent choice in a wide variety of applications. Properties of polystyrene physical properties the density of polystyrene can vary from 10kgm3 to 50kgm3. Dynamic compressive strength and crushing properties of. Mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene lightweight aggregate concrete and brick. The polystyrene foam products produced by fpc can be fabricated to meet your needs.
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. Sep 04, 2001 polystyrene homopolymer, known as crystal polystyrene in the trade, is an amorphous, colorless, and transparent commodity thermoplastic. Polystyrene and styrene copolymers wiley online library. Properties, performance and design fundamentals of. In this study, mix proportion parameters of expanded polystyrene eps lightweight aggregate concrete are. Evaluated are the mechanical properties in terms of density. The density of polystyrene can vary from 10kgm 3 to 50kgm 3.
Europe expanded polystyrene eps market growth, trends. Eps expanded polystyrene or as many know by the dow chemical companys trademarked name, styrofoam, is an extremely lightweight product that is made of expanded polystyrene beads. The extruded polystyrene foam is a fine laminate that is only 23 mm thick. 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. Originally discovered by eduard simon in 1839 in germany by accident, eps foam is more than 95% air and only about 5% plastic. Basing on the research to optimise the manufacturing technology for granule expanded polystyrene largesize blocks in industrial scale manufacturing equipment, thus improving the quality of the products.
The properties of ps include two common variations. Eps has been a material of choice for over half a century because of its technical versatility, performance and cost effectiveness. Bextrenex polystyrene beads, to which is added a propelling. 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. Eps is generally white and made of preexpanded polystyrene beads. It is also used extensively in low temperature warehouses, food.
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. In this paper, the evaluation of the mechanical and hygrothermal properties of expanded polystyrene sanded lightweight concrete epslc was examined. 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. Eps foam is the correct term for any form of expanded polystyrene.
Astm c 57892 type i type viii type ii type 1x property units astm test density, minimum pcf d303 or d 1622 0. 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 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. Resistant to tearing, puncturing, cracking and flaking. It is rigid, brittle, relatively hard and has excellent gamma radiation resistance, good electrical properties but has poor chemical and uv resistance. Eps expandable polystyrene it is a white polystyrene bead with a blowing agent. Characterization of composites based on recycled expanded polystyrene reinforced with curaua fibers. Nov 05, 2018 expanded polystyrene eps refers to a rigid, tough and lightweight thermoplastic product. Nov 01, 2016 high impact polystyrene, it is a tough, rigid plastic material with high impact strength. This page shows summary ranges across both of them. Polystyrene, polyethenylbenzene, lustrex, styron, vestyron, styrofoam. Raw material expanded polystyrene is made from expandable polystyrene, which is a rigid cellular plastic containing an expansion agent. Polystyrene foams are composed of mostly of air, making them incredibly buoyant, in addition to being lightweight.
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. 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. Characterization of composites based on recycled expanded. 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. Expanded polystyrene eps is the generic industry name used for white rigid material made from the expanded polystyrene beads.
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