Polüstüretaanivaht

Polüstüretaanivaht, commonly referred to as polystyrene foam, is a lightweight plastic foam material used primarily for insulation, packaging and various construction applications. It is derived from polystyrene, a polymer formed from styrene monomers. The two main commercial forms are expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS).

EPS is produced by expanding polystyrene beads with a blowing agent and fusing them into blocks or boards. XPS is manufactured by melting polystyrene and extruding it with a blowing agent to form closed-cell boards or sheets. Both forms are rigid and have good insulating properties, with XPS typically offering higher moisture resistance and greater compressive strength per thickness than EPS.

Common uses include wall, roof and foundation insulation in buildings, insulation under concrete slabs, and packaging as protective foam. EPS is also used in lightweight concrete and various geotechnical and civil engineering applications. XPS is favored where higher water resistance and structural strength are needed.

Safety and codes: polystyrene foam can burn and may release toxic gases when ignited. Many products include flame retardants and must meet local fire-safety requirements; in buildings it may require fire-rated barriers. The material is generally inert but can emit volatile organic compounds at elevated temperatures.

Environment and disposal: polystyrene foam is not readily biodegradable and can persist as litter. Recycling exists but is not universally available; EPS and XPS can be mechanically recycled into new polystyrene products, while some end-of-life options rely on energy recovery.