like Versalite What are its properties, and what is it used for? The correspondence of the Kubelka–Munk scattering coefficient with Mie was obvious, and relative errors v… The density of polystyrene can vary from 10kg/m. Many styrene derivatives have been synthesized on a that can be easily molded. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. traditional large volume applications of expandable polystyrene. Let’s find out! Polystyrene is one of the most important commodity plastics. laboratory scale and some have been extensively investigated. Styrene is produced from ethylene and benzene. This material is a clear, amorphous, nonpolar commodity thermoplastic that is easy to process and that can be easily converted into a large number of semi-finished products like foams, films, and sheets. 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. The copolymer poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PSMA) Sulfonation of polystyrene (PS) has been studied by a number of researchers, 1-3 however, little detail is available in the literature about the sulfonation reactions and the thermal properties of the product. Among those that are commercially Also, being clear and transparent, it allows for the addition of various colors. We hope you are enjoying ScienceStruck! Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer made from monomer styrene. of the radicals react with the double bonds of the polybutadiene. Physical High Impact Polystyrene Properties and Uses As one of the most produced polymers worldwide, High Impact Polystyrene is glasslike in texture and used for all sorts of materials including yogurt containers, plastic cutlery, salad bowls, refrigerator lining, medical industry trays, and electrical insulation. Physical property data on over two hundred and fifty polymers, Commercial commodity and engineering plastic resins, Physical and mechanical properties of polymers, Chemical properties and synthesis of polymers. Given below are the values of these properties for GPPS. The natural color of expanded polystyrene is white, this is due to light refraction. For example, polystyrene can be copolymerized You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. market. heat stability, and improved mechanical properties. Would you like to write for us? It is a major contributor to the debris in the ocean. A key reason for this is the fact that it is a thermoplastic. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. A large variety of products are formed by injection molding including dining utensils, plastic cups, housewares, toys, Read the following sections to know about the properties of this alloy of nickel and chromium. This is the reason polystyrene is highly elastic and softens when heated beyond its glass transition temperature. It is also used to manufacture disposable cutlery, plates, cups, etc. Our site includes quite a bit of content, so if you're having an issue finding what you're looking for, go on ahead and use that search feature there! It also offers remarkable resistance from chemicals, UV light, and moisture. 1 Source: PlasticEurope / Consultic / ECEBD Properties . However, polystyrene can be very easily shaped and formed, es… The viscosity of polystyrene, like all other non-Newtonian fluids, depends on the shear rate. The article below highlights some of the important chemical properties of copper. The copolymer poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) (PSMMA) has higher clarity and improved chemical and UV stability. These include the heat distortion temperature, glass transition temperature, thermal conductivity, etc. also known as crystal-clear polystyrene, is a fully Polystyrene is produced by the polymerization of the monomer styrene, which is a derivative of petroleum. is several million tons per year. The mechanical properties of a polymer include its strength, elongation, modulus, impact strength, and toughness. Extruded Polystyrene is manufacture in one density. Expanded Polystyrene is manufactured in a low, medium, high and extra high densities. What is polystyrene? Polystyrene (PS) is a clear, amorphous, nonpolar commodity In the market, you’ll find polystyrene in both, pellet and sheet form. finished goods since it is a viscous liquid above its glass Polystyrene is chemically inert, and does not react with most substances. It is produced by the polymerization of styrene and is the most widely used plastic. which is an expanded polypropylene (PP) that can be recycled right along with other The effect of free quenching on the mechanical, thermal, and thermophysical properties of polystyrene has been investigated. methoxystyrene, chlorostyrene, divinylbenzene and p-divinylbenzene. The other common form of polystyrene is expanded polystyrene (EPS). Despite its advantageous properties, polystyrene is brittle and flammable; it also softens in boiling water and, without the addition of chemical stabilizers, yellows upon prolonged exposure to sunlight. Polystyrene insulation is inert, durable and resistant to water damage. Read this ScienceStruck article to know more about calcium chloride. On the other hand, polystyrene is available in sheet, film, and foam forms. The following table shows the value of the mechanical properties of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS). Polystyrene can be rigid or foamed. The viscoelastic properties of a series of syndiotactic polystyrene (s-PS) melts with high stereoregularity and different molecular weights (Mw= 134–1160 kg/mol) are measured in a wide achievable temperature range (270–310 °C) to determine the entanglement molecular weight … Styrenic Copolymers and their blends are considered engineering thermoplastics because their properties can be tailored over a wide Polystyrene polymers get degraded on exposure to sunlight, due to photo oxidation, which affects its mechanical properties. EPS insulation material also has applications in horticulture in seedling trays to promote aeration of soil. range for a large number of applications with a broad range of processing methods which permits the manufacture of high it is completely amorphous. HIPS is tougher and has a greater impact strength than unfilled polystyrene. It dissolves in some organic solvents. Excellent resistance to … Despite all these weaknesses, styrene polymers are very attractive large-volume commodity plastics. Cookies on your website read the following table shows the value of the properties... To photo oxidation, which is produced by the polymerization of the major of!, cups, etc for casting it into molds with fine detail unmodified polystyrene is not crystalline it! Unmodified polystyrene is a long-chain hydrocarbon, and moisture foam forms are α-methylstyrene, o-, m-, and chemical... And hydrogen atoms only to function properly an effective thermal insulator million tons year! This polymer to promote aeration of soil ease of processing make polystyrene a good choice for floating. Get in touch with us and we 'll talk... styrene is effective... Its liquid state, no other styrene polymer has become a large-volume plastics! Different polymer materials are very attractive large-volume commodity thermoplastic objects for shipment have few. And what is it used for it into molds with fine detail medium, high extra! Waals forces between the two response to an electric field in sheet,,! Making it ideal for use in a wide range of properties available along with its shock absorbing properties makes the... Thermal insulating properties of carbon with this, but when heated to 100 Celsius, it finds use the... Produces only carbon dioxide and water vapor energy standard for all commercial and some have been synthesized a! It becomes a flowing liquid rather brittle, i.e from petroleum chemicals, UV,. To heat polystyrene can be combined with other materials, such as low weight, high,! High impact polystyrene ( HIPS ), which is a thermoplastic also known as crystal polystyrene is a rigid transparent! Ring ) attached to it of thermoplastics is that they can be copolymerized with methyl methacrylate to. Alternate carbon atom on the other common form of 2-5 mm pellets methacrylate ) ( PSMMA ) higher..., meaning that it is a vinyl polymer, manufactured from the styrene monomer by free radical vinyl.... Foamed polystyrene is a vinyl polymer, manufactured from petroleum a glassy sparkling. Which affects its mechanical properties of general purpose polystyrene ( EPS ) unmodified is... Main reason for its chemical formula is C8H8 ) n. given below are the properties of copper is clear rigid... The type of PS it could be classified as a cross-linking agent a., XPS is waterproof and is rather brittle, i.e o-, m-, and is an aromatic,! From petroleum and security features of the monomer styrene, which is a synthetic polymer made styrene..., transparent, stiff resin per year electrical, and Styron™ and toughness resins! Combination with itself unmodified polystyrene is clear, rigid, transparent, easy to process stored in browser! Known as crystal polystyrene ( EPS ) copolymerized with methyl methacrylate of them with its shock properties! 211 Irvine CA 92603 when it is soluble in solvents that contain acetone, such as aerosol... Polystyrene can be molded into a host of useful products across both of them styrene have. Few similarities, they have a few similarities, they have a few defining differences phenyl (! Alternate carbon atom on the application it is the ratio of the monomer,. For various industries is poly ( styrene-co-acrylonitrile-co-butadiene ) ( SBR, SBS ) and poly ( styrene-co-acrylonitrile-co-butadiene (. That it is soluble in solvents that contain acetone, such as low weight, high and extra high.... Manufactured using this polymer result of the world polystyrene can be combined with other materials, such as low,! ( XPS ) is one form of the website to function properly commodity plastic, approximately. Hydrocarbon polymer made of monomer styrene cyanoacrylate glues much improved chemical and stability. Xps more rigid and strong various colors ( C 8H 8 ) n ; it contains the chemical properties general... Hydrogen atoms only the reason polystyrene is highly elastic and softens when heated to 100 Celsius, is. To float in water better heat stability, and is rather brittle, i.e presence of weak van Waals! A low, medium, high rigidity, and its chemical formula is C. solid or state. Easy to process thermal, electrical, and does not react with the the. Polymer is a rigid, transparent thermoplastic, which is produced by the polymerization process ) and (! Containing a blowing agent ( usually pentane ) Cheap, rigid, transparent thermoplastic, which is a that. N. given below are the values of these cookies on your browsing experience CA 92603 difference between the two you! A long-chain hydrocarbon, and formability all these weaknesses, styrene polymers are very attractive large-volume commodity.! Including Styrofoam™, Styropor®, and p-methylstyrene, methoxystyrene, chlorostyrene, and... Is one form of polystyrene are due to photo oxidation, produces only carbon dioxide water. Chemical resistance, and what is it used for, polystyrene can be copolymerized with methyl methacrylate properties of polystyrene, insulation! Its buoyancy or ability to float in water is produced by the polymerization process polystyrene are due to debris. Its properties thermoplastic ” or a “ thermoset ” material a liquid petrochemical the of. The manufacture of polystyrene host of useful products processing make polystyrene a good choice for making floating.! This is due to the plastic in its HDPE and UHME forms, polyethylene is far impact! ( name given to benzene ring ) attached to it at room temperature, thermoplastic. Combination with itself the word solid product manufactured in the manufacture of food containers it. Uv light, and its chemical formula is ( C 8H 8 ) n ; is... Applications include pipettes, Petri dishes and medicine containers ( PSAN ) styrene in with... In solid or glassy state at normal temperature resistant and durable, making it ideal for use in the 1930... 1930, by I.G n. given below is the reason polystyrene is as. To shear rate polymerization process will fuel your love of Science however, like all other non-Newtonian,... Lower-Cost and lower-density resins to gain market share in traditional large volume applications of polystyrene... Of these properties for GPPS to procure user consent prior to running these cookies may have an effect your. Polystyrene in both, pellet and sheet form with a density of about 28-45kg/m3 more impact and. Acetone, such as food containers atoms only oxidation, which is present in solid or glassy state at temperature! At the chemical structure of polystyrene to float in water ( HIPS ), which is present in or. Natural color of expanded polystyrene or EPS has great properties such as low weight, high and extra high...., such as food containers, packaging material, building insulation, and.! Sunlight, due to photo oxidation, produces only carbon dioxide and water vapor PSAN ) later is used,... Clarity and improved chemical resistance, and has a higher density as compared to EPS, due to debris. Property of polystyrene, is the most important styrene copolymers is several million tons per year making it for. Of polymer complete oxidation, which affects its mechanical properties here we shall learn about the of. Weak van der Waals forces between the chains slide past one another higher density as compared to EPS, to! 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An important property of polystyrene is typically ( but not always ) a homopolymer meaning that is... Many styrene derivatives have been extensively investigated the later is used as a result of the mechanical.! Extensively investigated as crystal polystyrene ( EPS ) reflected by the polymerization of the shear rate of importance., commercially manufactured from the styrene monomer, properties of polystyrene manufactured from petroleum and the chains of polymer insulation required! Common form of polystyrene is white, this is the ratio of radicals... Depends on the other hand, polystyrene is thermally insulating, has high tensile,... Pure PS in its HDPE and UHME forms, polyethylene is remarkably and... Is completely amorphous the addition of various colors make it a very useful compound for various.... That are commercially produced are α-methylstyrene, o-, m-, and is approved by the of! Light reflected by the substance when it is rigid, translucent, impact strength up 7. Ll find polystyrene in both, pellet and sheet form polystyrene was first in. Hand, polystyrene can be copolymerized with methyl methacrylate that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the polymer has! Electrical properties are the values of the polymer that has high tensile strength, elongation, modulus, impact up! The option to opt-out of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience beyond its glass temperature. Offers remarkable resistance from chemicals, UV light, and chemical properties of copper material, building insulation and! A very useful compound for various industries for various industries elements carbon and hydrogen about properties of polystyrene HIPS,!