Expanded polystyrene (EPS) has excellent thermal properties, and a variety of applications in building, packaging and other industries. Choosing the right type and shape of EPS depends on its final application, density, and other important factors discussed below.
EPS is an expandable form of polystyrene beads that produce a foam of required densities ready to be processed in a mould shape. EPS is available in large blocks, which can be cut into sheets or CNC cut (block moulded) or individual shapes (shape moulded).
Knowing the main EPS properties and characteristics is essential to decide on possible variations, size, thickness and suitable applications for specific industries.
Chemical Resistance
EPS is water-resistant and moisture repellent. It can handle well fresh water, brine, vegetable oils, even mineral acids, the latter with some exceptions. These chemical properties recommend EPS packaging for the food and beverage packaging industries.
However, EPS is non-resistant and permeable to petrol, benzene, esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons or mineral oils, and not recommended for certain industrial applications.
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) manufactured by the Isowall Group is fast becoming recognized as the insulation material of choice by specifiers of “Bills of Quantities”. This comes largely as a result of our technical knowledge backed up by years of experience in the building and construction industry.
Fire Resistance – Flame Retardant Grade (FR)
The burning characteristics of EPS, a known combustible material, are important to determine its fire resistance. The flame retardant grade (FR) is an important industrial metric to measure the fire resistance properties of EPS products.
When burning, EPS undergoes combustion with little heat dissipated and a minimum probability of sustained fire ignition. Flame retardant polystyrene (FR) is treated with fire retardant to slow down the process if exposed to surface fire for shorter periods.
Flame retardant polystyrene (FR Grade) is available in all densities (XG to 40DV). Some variables to consider for flame retardant EPS include heat capacity and contribution index, temperature range, spread of flame index, surface fire index, smoke emission index, and limited exposure to maximum temperature.
Isowall manufactures and distributes the Isolite range of EPS products to users of thermal insulation, packaging, semi-rigid cushioning, and specialised shape-moulded products. Our EPS is water and chemical resistant, and available in FR Grade.
View here more properties of our Isolite EPS range.
The Isowall Group has been manufacturing and distributing Isolite Block Moulded EPS since 1985, and Isolite Shape Moulded EPS since 1992. Isolite EPS products are used primarily for insulation, lightweight fillers and semi-rigid cushioning.
