Polystyrene Foam: Exploring the Versatility and Wide Application of This Common Material
Polystyrene Foam What is Polystyrene Foam? Plastic foam, also known as Styrofoam, is a synthetic petrochemical made from non-renewable petroleum resources. It is a lightweight rigid cellular plastic material that contains small pockets of trapped gas. This gives it many desirable properties which has led to its widespread use in various applications. Types of Polystyrene Foam There are two main types of plastic foam - extruded plastic foam and expanded plastic foam. Extruded Plastic foam Extruded plastic foam (XPS) is produced by heating Polystyrene Foam beads until they melt and then forcing them through an extruder die to produce rigid foam boards. It exhibits high heat and moisture resistance making it suitable for use as insulation. XPS foam provides excellent insulation for buildings due to its closed-cell structure that prevents moisture absorption. It is commonly used as insulation under concrete floor slabs and behind exterior siding. Expanded Plastic foam Expand...