Polystyrene, or PS, is a widely used inexpensive thermoplastic with good transparency. It can easily be pigmented with transparent or opaque colors. On its own it’s a hard plastic with limited flexibility but it is light weight, cost effective, and can be cast into molds with fine details. Common uses include: disposable cutlery, CD /DVD jewel cases, and hobby craft beads. It is chemically inert and as a result it is commonly used in containers for chemicals, solvents and foods. Polystyrene is not biodegradable but can be recycled and has a classification number of “6”. Formulated with polybutadiene rubber it becomes high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and with the addition of Acrylonitrile and butadiene it becomes ABS.
- Specific Gravity
- 1.04-1.06 g/cc
- Vicat Softening Point
- 183-223 F
- Hardness, Rockwell
- 75
- Water Absorption
- 24 hr .03-.05%
- Tensile Strength
- 5390-7240 psi
- Dielectric Constant
- 2.59
- Flexural Strength
- 12,000 psi
- Visible Transmission
- 80-90%
- Heat Deflection Temperature
- 198 F / 92 C
- Flammability
- UL94 HB
*Values listed are approximate