Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid cellular form of polystyrene with good thermal insulation and shock absorbing properties, high compressive strength, very low weight and resistance to moisture.
Building and construction applications are the largest outlet for EPS accounting for around two-thirds of demand. The other main application of EPS is in packaging.
The expandable polystyrene market has seen strong growth globally, driven by the construction sector, with global demand growing at an average of 5.5%/year. However, extensive new EPS capacity has been added in northeast Asia, especially China. As a result, the Chinese market is oversupplied.
Expandable polystyrene is produced in a suspension process by adding a blowing agent, usually pentane, which causes resin to foam during moulding. The process may be performed as a single step or a two step process.
Polystyrene is not considered toxic in the solid form. However, heating polystyrene-based polymers can result in the release of styrene monomer, which is a hazardous material.
Polystyrene, expandable
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Polystyrene, expandable
Uses and Outlook
Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid cellular form of polystyrene with good thermal insulation and shock absorbing properties, high compressive strength, very low weight and resistance to moisture. These properties of EPS bring many benefits, in particular to the construction and packaging industries.
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Polystyrene, expandable
Process Technologies
Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is produced in a suspension process by adding a blowing agent, usually pentane, which causes resin to foam during moulding. The process may be performed as a single step or a two step process.
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