Plastics and Polymers

Polystyrene Sheets are very easy to cut and are extremely light. They are an aromatic polymer made from the aromatic monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is commercially manufactured from oil. Polystyrene sheets are a thermoplastic substance, normally existing in solid state at room temperature, it melts if heated, but becomes solid again when cooled. Polystyrene sheets are often used as void fill in packaging and is also known as expanded polystyrene. In electroincs heavy transformers are often placed on polystyrene to protect the pins that go through the pcb from bending before soldering. Expanded polystyrene sheets are produced from a mixture of about 90-95% polystyrene and 5-10% gaseous blowing agent, most commonly carbon dioxide or pentane. The solid plastic is expanded into a foam through the use of heat, usually steam. Extruded polystyrene, which is different from expanded polystyrene sheets, is commonly known by the trade name Styrofoam. The voids filled with trapped air give it low thermal conductivity. This makes it ideal as a construction material and it is sometimes used in insulating building structures as well as molded packing material for cushioning fragile equipment inside boxes and packing peanuts. Polystyrene sheets used to contain CFCs, however this has now changed and more environmentally friendly blowing agents are now used. Because it's a hydrocarbon, it burns with an orange-yellow flame, giving off soot, as opposed to none hydrocarbon polymers such as polyethylene, which burn with a light yellow flame and no soot. Polystyrene sheets are ideal for protecting layers within boxes and pallets and glass. It also gives high shock protection and is reusable.

About the Author:

Kevin Thomas works for Davpack, a UK packaging supplier. Their friendly staff are waiting to help you choose the right protective packaging. Text and content © Copyright of Davenport Paper Co. Ltd 2009