What are the properties and uses of polystyrene?
What are the properties and uses of polystyrene?
Polystyrene homopolymer, known as “crystal” polystyrene in the trade, is an amorphous, colorless, and transparent commodity thermoplastic. It is rigid, brittle, relatively hard and has excellent gamma radiation resistance, good electrical properties but has poor chemical and UV resistance.
What are two properties of polystyrene?
Polystyrene Characteristics Unmodified polystyrene is clear, rigid, brittle and moderately strong. Its electrical properties are good, though it has relatively low heat resistance.
Why is polystyrene used in chemistry?
As a foam, its two forms are expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS). Expanded polystyrene is commonly used in packaging. This chemical structure of polystyrene gives it valuable properties, such as low weight and high strength. It is easy to make things with because it is a thermoplastic.
What is polystyrene made of?
Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer made from styrene monomer, which is a liquid petrochemical. It is a thermoplastic polymer which softens when heated and can be converted via semi-finished products, such as films and sheets, into a wide range of final articles.
What are the properties of high impact polystyrene?
High Impact Polystyrene Properties and Material Options
| UNITS | HIGH IMPACT POLYSTYRENE | |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | psi | 3,500 |
| Tensile elongation at break | % | 55 |
| Flexural modulus | psi | 310,000 |
| Izod impact (notched) | ft-lbs/in of notch | 2.8 |
Why is polystyrene useful?
Polystyrene has long been regarded as the ideal choice for packaging material due to its light weight and thermal insulation properties – coupled with the ability to custom mould to fit. Superior insulation which protects produce from temperature changes. Dimensional stability and recovery. Light weight and easy to …
Why is polystyrene so cheap?
Styrofoam is ridiculously cheap, much less expensive than alternative to-go cups and containers. Its commercial cost is due to its lightweight composition – Styrofoam is mostly made out tiny pellets of #6 plastic* and air, which makes it very light and easy to ship.
Why is polystyrene clear?
Solid polystyrene is transparent, owing to these large, ring-shaped molecular groups, which prevent the polymer chains from packing into close, crystalline arrangements. In addition, the phenyl rings restrict rotation of the chains around the carbon-carbon bonds, lending the polymer its noted rigidity.
What is good about polystyrene?
Polystyrene is one of the best insulators on the planet. When compared against other materials such as wood, plastics, wool and cardboard, expanded polystyrene is a far superior insulating material. EPS is an excellent insulator thanks to its composition of 98% air.
What is polystyrene mostly used for?
polystyrene, a hard, stiff, brilliantly transparent synthetic resin produced by the polymerization of styrene. It is widely employed in the food-service industry as rigid trays and containers, disposable eating utensils, and foamed cups, plates, and bowls.
Is polystyrene a natural material?
What is PS, and What is it Used For? Polystyrene (PS) plastic is a naturally transparent thermoplastic that is available as both a typical solid plastic as well in the form of a rigid foam material.
Is high impact polystyrene strong?
High Impact Polystyrene, commonly known as HIPS, is a rubber modified version of General Purpose Polystyrene. The addition of rubber makes the thermoplastic incredibly durable, with a much higher impact resistance than its former compound. These factors alone make HIPS a great material to manufacture components with.