EPSschuim

EPSschuim, or Expanded Polystyrene Foam, is a lightweight closed-cell plastic foam produced by expanding and fusing polystyrene beads. The material consists of many tiny gas-filled cells, giving it low density, good thermal insulation, and cushioning properties. It is manufactured in various densities and forms, including rigid boards, blocks, and molded shapes.

Manufacturing involves polystyrene beads containing a blowing agent such as pentane. The beads are pre-expanded, then fed into a mold where heat and pressure fuse them into boards or blocks. Densities typically range from about 8 to 40 kg per cubic meter, with thermal conductivity around 0.032–0.038 W/m·K.

Applications include building insulation (walls, roofs, floors), insulating concrete forms and other structural elements, packaging materials and protective inserts, and buoyancy applications in marine and flotation equipment.

Advantages include low cost, light weight, and effective insulation, while limitations involve sensitivity to solvents, potential UV degradation if unprotected, and fire hazards unless adequately treated or shielded. Water absorption is low due to closed cells but not zero.

Environment and end-of-life considerations: EPS is derived from fossil fuels and can be recycled mechanically into new beads or pellets, though collection and processing can be challenging. It may also be energy-recovered in incineration, with emissions managed by waste-to-energy facilities. In construction and packaging, careful handling and appropriate protective measures are used to mitigate fire risks and environmental impact.