Polystyrene Material details

Polystyrene Materials

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Bead >> Density & Grades >> Fire retardant >> Insulation >> Styrofoam >> Re-cycling >>

Density & grades Back to top >>

Polystyrene is expanded to a number of densities. These are expressed in the polystyrene industry as weight per meter^3 and we commonly designated them as follows: -

Kilograms/meter^3 Usages

Low Density 9/10 kgs Light general packaging where void filling is more important than durability and finished quality.

Standard Packaging Density 11/12 kgs This is the most commonly used grade. Its use is for most general applications, such as packaging, insulation and display, and presents a reasonably durable product with an acceptable finish.

Medium Density 15/16 kgs Used when the standard grade may not offer enough strength in the material to withstand the weight of the object to be protected or any impact damage it might suffer.

High Density 19/20 kgs Often used with delicate and/or smaller profiles and pads or where the weight of the object necessitates a more robust material.

Extra High Density 23/24 kgs As above but giving an even more robust product. Sometimes utilised for model making and display

Very High Density 30/31 kgs As above

Ultra High Density 44/45 kgs As above

Fire Retardant

All grades can be sourced as Fire retardant (FRA), but some of the higher densities are dependant on minimum quantities of raw material purchasing. Fire retardant materials are notstocked by us, but for grades up to Medium Density they are usually available within 2-3 working days.

Flame retardant additive EPS contains sufficient additive to ensure that when tested in accordance with BS 4735 : 1974, and tested on a specimen of 150x50x13mm, when subjected to a small flame, showed burn of 125mm and less. However this should not be construed as a means of assessing the potential hazard of the material in use.

Insulation

Insulation is expressed as a function of µ. Relevant insulation levels and properties for each grade is available on application or for more information please follow the Insulation Details link.

Re-cycling

We make every effort to re-cycle all our own waste polystyrene, and for any customers who have clean polystyrene of which they wish to dispose, we are happy to receive the waste material and process it for them. We have our own compactor which compresses the polystyrene, and this is then sent to a re-cycler to be re-moulded into other products. For more information please follow the Re-cycling link or the Legislation link.

Bead Back to top >>

Polystyrene bead is free expanded and achieves a diameter of approximately 6mm. All bead is of FRA standard (follow Fire Retardant link).

Styrofoam Back to top >>

This is a variation of a polystyrene product but is an extruded material with differing properties. Used mainly for insulation and model making, as well as being machined and profiled the same as polystyrenes, using other machining processes, more complex and detailed items can be produced.

For a general overview of polystyrene please follow the link to www.eps.co.uk


Polystyrene Materials
Select from list below to view details: -
Bead >>	Density & Grades >>	Fire retardant >>	Insulation >>	Styrofoam >>	Re-cycling >>


Density & grades			Back to top >>
Polystyrene is expanded to a number of densities. These are expressed in the polystyrene industry as weight per meter^3 and we commonly designated them as follows: -
	Kilograms/meter^3	Usages
Low Density	9/10 kgs	Light general packaging where void filling is more important than durability and finished quality.
Standard Packaging Density	11/12 kgs	This is the most commonly used grade. Its use is for most general applications, such as packaging, insulation and display, and presents a reasonably durable product with an acceptable finish.
Medium Density	15/16 kgs	Used when the standard grade may not offer enough strength in the material to withstand the weight of the object to be protected or any impact damage it might suffer.
High Density	19/20 kgs	Often used with delicate and/or smaller profiles and pads or where the weight of the object necessitates a more robust material.
Extra High Density	23/24 kgs	As above but giving an even more robust product. Sometimes utilised for model making and display
Very High Density	30/31 kgs	As above
Ultra High Density	44/45 kgs	As above

Fire Retardant All grades can be sourced as Fire retardant (FRA), but some of the higher densities are dependant on minimum quantities of raw material purchasing. Fire retardant materials are notstocked by us, but for grades up to Medium Density they are usually available within 2-3 working days. Flame retardant additive EPS contains sufficient additive to ensure that when tested in accordance with BS 4735 : 1974, and tested on a specimen of 150x50x13mm, when subjected to a small flame, showed burn of 125mm and less. However this should not be construed as a means of assessing the potential hazard of the material in use.

Insulation Insulation is expressed as a function of µ. Relevant insulation levels and properties for each grade is available on application or for more information please follow the Insulation Details link.

Re-cycling We make every effort to re-cycle all our own waste polystyrene, and for any customers who have clean polystyrene of which they wish to dispose, we are happy to receive the waste material and process it for them. We have our own compactor which compresses the polystyrene, and this is then sent to a re-cycler to be re-moulded into other products. For more information please follow the Re-cycling link or the Legislation link.

Bead			Back to top >>
Polystyrene bead is free expanded and achieves a diameter of approximately 6mm. All bead is of FRA standard (follow Fire Retardant link).

Styrofoam			Back to top >>
This is a variation of a polystyrene product but is an extruded material with differing properties. Used mainly for insulation and model making, as well as being machined and profiled the same as polystyrenes, using other machining processes, more complex and detailed items can be produced.

For a general overview of polystyrene please follow the link to www.eps.co.uk