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Different uses of polystyrene EPS and XPS
There are two types of polystyrene foam best suited for processing with the hot wire cutting systems: extruded – XPS, and expanded – EPS. Although both types of insulation are comprised of polystyrene, the two types of manufacturing processes produce finished products with very different performance properties.
XPS is manufactured in a continuous extrusion process that produces a homogeneous closed cell crossed section, whereas EPS is manufactured by expanding spherical beads in a mold, using heat and pressure to fuse the beads together.
EPS foam is perhaps the most common in everyday life: this white foam can be seen in cups for hot beverages, refrigerators, insulation, packaging, etc. The foam plastic consists of 96 – 98% air and 2-4% polystyrene. Granules are heated with steam in such a way that they are rapidly expanding (foaming) and forming a low-density block (in a special form).
Extruded polystyrene – XPS has the same chemical composition as the expanded – EPS, but is made by a different technology; as a result, the produced foam has smaller air pockets and is more uniform. It often comes in pink, blue, green, etc. XPS styrofoam is ideal for manufacturing demonstration panels and in construction area.
A resilient and robust construction material boasting a high compressive strength and a superior thermal performance, Extruded polystyrene is the number one choice for home builders, specifiers, architects and engineers. The high-density cell structure of XPS styrofoam also makes it practically impervious to water.
EPS and XPS are widely used across various applications thanks to their excellent properties, including high thermal insulation, good damping characteristics, and extremely low weight. These materials retain their key properties over time and can be fully recycled and reused.
From building and construction to protective packaging, EPS is used in a wide range of applications. Today, it is also used as core materials in products such as surfboards and drones.
EPS foam is durable, strong, and lightweight. It is widely used in building and construction as insulated panel systems for facades, walls, roofs, and floors. EPS is also used as flotation material in the construction of marinas and pontoons, as well as a lightweight fill for road and railway construction.
EPS has excellent shock-absorbing properties, making it ideal for the storage and transportation of fragile items such as wine bottles, chemicals, electronic equipment, and pharmaceutical products. Its thermal insulation and moisture-resistant properties also make EPS well suited for packaging cooked foods and perishable goods.
EPS foam can be used in the manufacture of drones, model planes, and surfboards because of its positive strength-to-weight ratio. The strength of EPS, along with its shock-absorbing properties, makes it effective for use in children’s seats and cycling helmets. It is also compression-resistant, meaning that EPS is ideal for stacking and packaging goods.
There are several reasons why the abovementioned materials are so widely used (wiki):
Our EPS/XPS cutting equipment is perfectly suited for cutting and shaping various polystyrene products. All of our professional CNC machines and manual cutters have repeatedly proven their quality, offering reliability, precision, and clean results.
Unlike traditional cutting methods, such as saws, which produce large amounts of dust and debris that pollute the environment, our equipment melts the material without creating fine particles or mess. The leftover pieces can then be easily collected and recycled for future production of polystyrene.
