Polystyrene bead foam

Economics. Rigid foam systems are typically in the range of 32 kg/m (2 Ibs/fT) and, in 1992, had a foam price of about 3.63/kg ( 1.65 per lb) with hquid foam systems at about 2.75/kg. Unit prices for pour-ia-place polyurethane packaging systems fall between the competitive expandable polystyrene bead foam at 3.30/kg and low density polyethylene foams at 5.80/kg. 

Roofiag panels have been made from polyisocyanurate foams, both foam- and felt-reiaforced with glass fiber. PhenoHc resias are used especially for decorative laminates for paneling. The substrate may be fiberboard or a core of expanded polystyrene beads. In one case the beads are coated with phenoHc resia, then expanded ia a mold to form a stmctural foam panel. 

Fill the existing wall cavity with a suitable insulant such as fiberglass, rock wool, polystyrene beads or foam. The greater the thickness of the cavity, the lower the CZ-value. 

While unaffected by water, styrofoam is dissolved by many organic solvents and is unsuitable for high-temperature applications because its heat-distortion temperature is around 77°C. Molded styrofoam objects are produced commercially from expandable polystyrene beads, but this process does not appear attractive for laboratory applications because polyurethane foams are much easier to foam in place. However, extruded polystyrene foam is available in slabs and boards which may be sawed, carved, or sanded into desired shapes and may be cemented. It is generally undesirable to join expanded polystyrene parts with cements that contain solvents which will dissolve the plastic and thus cause collapse of the cellular structure. This excludes from use a large number of cements which contain volatile aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, or esters. Some suitable cements are room-temperature-vulcanizing silicone rubber (see below) and solvent-free epoxy cements. When a strong bond is not necessary, polyvinyl-acetate emulsion (Elmer s Glue-All) will work. 

Foam molding operations are those in which a liquid mixture of foam components is used. It is poured into a mold cavity to form a cellular shaped product. The molded product is later removed after setting or curing. As reviewed in the case of expandable polystyrene beads the preexpanded or virgin beads are poured into a mold and heated to form the desired object. In this case, liquids are not used, although the free-flowing beads might be considered a fluid. 

Low-density polystyrene foam sheet was first produced by the extrusion of expandable polystyrene beads or pellets containing pentane as blowing agent [81,82]. Currently, polystyrene foam is extruded in a single-screw tandem line or in a twin-screw extruder. 

In unconfined pre-expansion the translucent beads grow larger and become white in color. Confined and subjected to heat, the preexpanded beads can produce a smooth-skinned closed-cell foam of controlled density, registering every detail of an intricate mold. To minimize formation of a density gradient and to ensure uniform expansion throughout the molded piece, expandable-polystyrene beads are preexpanded to the approximate required density by control of time and temperature, since the process of molding does not increase the density (6). 

Up to 1973 very little information had been published on these foams. France has produced polysulfone foams from expandable beads which resemble polystyrene beads in their processing. In a typical formulation 1- butene and sulfur dioxide are copolymerized in such a way that the copolymer contains excess unpolymerized 1-butene, which volatilizes to cause foaming. Water, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, 1-butene, sulfur dioxide, and a solution of isoprophyl peroxydicaibonate in... 

As mentioned in the previous section, hollow zeolite spheres of LTA, FAU, BEA, MFI can be prepared in the presence of polystyrene beads as templates by using an LBL self-assembly technique. Recently, several research groups have tried to adopt similar methods to synthesize zeolite-template composites on the surfaces of templates with various shapes and sizes, properties, and structures through self-assembly or in situ-crystallization approaches. Subsequent removal of the templates forms zeolite materials with analogical skeletons of the templates. Up to now, the reported templates include microspheres, carbon fibers, polyurethane foams, and microbe structures,[144,145] as well... 

Includes prime, off-grade, export, and polymer used for Styrofoam brand plastic foam as well as expandable polystyrene beads plus miscellaneous end uses. 

Major applications for styrene plastics are summarized in Table III (23). The packaging and serviceware (disposables) markets predominate, and account for approximately 50% of the total. One of the most rapidly growing portions of these markets is in low-density (usually 1-10 Ib/ft ) polystyrene foams, either in the form of extruded foam sheet or expanded polystyrene beads (EPS). Projections indicate that production of these foams will be greater than 2000 metric tons (24). 

POLYMERIC BEADS, EXPANDABLE (POLYSTYRENE or POLYSTYRENE BEADS, EXPANDABLE) (9003-53-6) (CgHg), (flash point 644 to 662°F/340 to 350°C autoignition temp 801°F/427°Cf "l). Incompatible with strong oxidizers, hydrocarbon solvents. Decomposes above 572°F/300°C, producing toxic styrene, benzene, carbon monoxide, and other hydrocarbon fumes. On small fires, use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, water spray, or CO extinguishers. Note This material may be shipped in a flammable solvent. Check MSDS and refer to solvent carrier. 

The expandable polystyrene beads may be used in a tabular blow-extrusion process (Figure 2.59) to produce polystyrene foam sheet, which can subsequently be formed into containers, such as egg cartons and cold-drink cups, by thermoforming techniques. 

Flame-retardance of expanded polystyrene beads can be brought about by the application of the additive (e.g. pentabromophenyl allyl ether), dispersed in fine quartz flour, to the surface of beads before expansion. For the flame-retardance of extruded foam sheets, the agent should be admixed with the polystyrene granules. 

This time, we purchased Polymer Foam Board (XPS) which was stored until shipment at manufacturer s warehouse for certain period, to guarantee the mechanical dimension stability, etc. We used this kind of articles, not EPS beads or EPS foamed products. Gas releasing rate will be smaller than former accident case of Polystyrene beads, because gas permeability from fabricated product seem to be low. To our regret, we have no route to get Polymer Foam Board just after its extruded production, and we purchased the commercially available products. 

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam widely used in the food service industry is made by steam expansion of PS beads containing pentane or other blowing agents. The foam is... 

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