Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a lightweight cellular plastic material consisting of small hollow spherical balls. It is this closed cellular construction that gives EPS its remarkable characteristics.
EPS is produced in a wide range of densities providing a varying range of physical properties. These are matched to the various applications where the material is used to optimise its performance and strength.
Building and Construction
EPS is used widely in the building and construction industry. EPS is an inert material that does not rot and provides no nutritional benefits to vermin therefore does not attract pests such as rats or termites. Its strength, durability and lightweight nature makes it a versatile and popular building product. Applications include insulated panel systems for walls, roofs and floors as well as facades for both domestic and commercial buildings. It is also used as a void-forming fill material in civil engineering projects, as a lightweight fill in road and railway construction, and as floatation material in the construction of pontoons and marinas.
Packaging
Considerable quantities of EPS are also used in packaging applications. Its exceptional shock absorbing characteristics make it ideal for the storage and transport of fragile and expensive items such as electronic equipment, wines, chemicals and pharmaceutical products. The outstanding thermal insulation and moisture resistant properties of EPS enables freshness extension of perishable products such as produce and seafood. Moreover, its compression resistance means that EPS is ideal for stackable packaging goods. The majority of EPS packaging manufactured in Australia is used in the transport of fruit, vegetables and seafood. EPS packaging is used extensively for both the domestic and export market.
Other
EPS has a positive strength to weight ratio making it an effective and popular solution for the use in gliders, light and model planes and also surfboards.
When safety is paramount, EPS comes into its own. It is used in the manufacture of children’s car seats and cycling helmets, where its protective qualities such as strength and shock-absorbency are vital.
EPS also has applications in horticulture as seedling trays. Granulated EPS can also be added as a soil conditioner to promote aeration of the soil.
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