Polystyrene is a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products. As a hard, solid plastic, it is often used in products that require clarity, such as food packaging and laboratory ware. When combined with various colorants, additives, or other plastics, polystyrene is used to make home appliances, electronics, auto parts, toys, flower pots, and garden equipment, and much more.
Polystyrene is also made into a foam material, called expanded polystyrene (EPS) or extruded polystyrene (XPS), which is valued for its insulation and cushioning properties. Foam polystyrene can be more than 95 percent air and is widely used to make home insulation and application, lightweight protective packaging, surfboards, food and food packaging, auto parts, road stabilization systems and more.
Applications
- Accessories: Refrigerators, air conditioners, ovens, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, mixers, these and other appliances are often made with polystyrene (solid and foam) because it is inert (does not react with other materials), cost effective and durable.
- Automotive: Polystyrene (solid and foam) is used to make many auto parts, including knobs, instrument panels, trim, energy absorbing door panels, and sound damping foam. Foam polystyrene is also widely used in child safety seats.
- Electronics: polystyrene is used for housing and other parts for televisions, computers and all kinds of computer equipment, where the combination of form, function and aesthetics are essential.
- Food Service: Polystyrene food service containers typically insulate better, keep food fresher longer, and cost less than alternatives.
- Insulation - Lightweight Styrofoam provides excellent thermal insulation in numerous applications such as building walls and ceilings, refrigerators and freezers, as well as industrial cold storage facilities. Polystyrene insulation is inert, durable, and resistant to water damage.
- Medical - Due to its clarity and ease of sterilization, polystyrene is used for a wide range of medical applications, including tissue culture trays, test tubes, petri dishes, diagnostic components, test kit housings, and medical devices
- Packaging: polystyrene (solid and foam) is widely used to protect consumer products. CD and DVD cases, foam packing peanuts for shipping, food packing, meat / poultry trays and egg cartons are usually made with Styrofoam to protect against damage or deterioration.
