EPS

‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍EPS (Expandable Polystyrene) – Product Specifications

EPS is a rigid, lightweight cellular foam material produced from polystyrene beads that expand when exposed to steam. It offers excellent thermal insulation, high shock absorption, and low moisture uptake. EPS is widely used in construction, protective packaging, and disposable food containers due to its durability, weight savings, and cost-effectiveness. It is fully recyclable and can be reprocessed into new polystyrene products.

Key Parameters:

• Bead Size Range: 0.3 – 1.8 mm (for pre-expansion and molding applications, varying by particle size distribution)

• Bulk Density (Pre-expanded): 12 – 30 kg/m³ (low density foam grade), 15 – 35 kg/m³ (standard, molding/cushioning)

• Foam Density (Molded Part): 10 – 50 kg/m³ (lightweight packaging) to 15 – 100+ kg/m³ (high-compression structural/insulation)

• Thermal Conductivity: 0.030 – 0.040 W/(m·K) (excellent insulator; performance varies with density)

• Compressive Strength (10% deformation): 50 – 300 kPa (higher density leads to higher compressive resistance and load bearing capacity)

• Flexural Strength: 100 – 500 kPa (varies with foam density)

• Water Absorption (immersion): 1 – 4% by volume (low moisture sensitivity for closed-cell foam matrix)

• Dimensional Stability: < 1 – 2% linear change under standard conditions (22°C / 50% RH)

• Operating Temperature Range: -20°C to 80°C (long-term service), with short-term tolerance up to 100°C (softening point / deformation begins above 85-90°C; flash point > 320°C)

• Flammability (UL94): Easily ignitable (base resin – needs flame retardant treatment). Flame-retardant (FR) grades with HBCD (legacy) or alternative flame retardants (polymeric FR) available for construction.

• Processing Methods: Steam pre-expansion, aging (maturing), molding (block or shape molding), hot wire cutting, lamination

• Typical Applications: Construction / Building Insulation: External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS – foam boards for facade insulation), cavity wall insulation, insulated concrete forms (ICFs), underfloor heating insulation, roof and ceiling insulation panels. Protective Packaging: Electronic goods packaging (TVs, computers, monitors, appliances), medical device shipping containers, automotive spare parts cushioning (headlights, bumpers), fragile item protection (glassware, ceramics). Food Service: Disposable food containers (plates, bowls, takeout clamshells), hot beverage cups, egg cartons, meat and produce trays (in many regions, these are now made with recycled or biodegradable alternatives, but EPS remains common for egg cartons). Other: Floating docks and marine buoys, architectural moldings (crown moldings, decorative shapes), children’s toys (large foam blocks, craft shapes), highway embankment lightweight fill (geofoam – large EPS blocks for slope stabilization), model-making (architecture models, prototype shapes), horticultural seedling trays.