Expanded Polystyrene

Expanded Polystyrene Foam- The Ins and Outs of What it Really is

Many get confused when they hear expanded polystyrene foam or EPS.  What is EPS exactly? Truth is, you have most likely dealt with this type of foam at some point in your life and may not have realized it. EPS is often mistaken for Styrofoam™. So what is this mysterious foam?

Expanded Polystyrene Foam is the white rigid material produced by expanding polystyrene beads with steam and pressure to bond them together. This creates an EPS block or shape molds.

Where have you seen EPS?

  Expanded Polystyrene Foam is used to produce:

       ·   Coolers

       ·      Wine shippers

       ·      Molded end caps and corners

       ·      Box packaging

       ·      Those “Styrofoam” cups you see in the office are actually         made from EPS foam not Styrofoam!

       ·      Construction

o   Most foam used in construction is EPS foam

§  Void filler

§  Insulation

·      Sculptures

·      Play props and set creations

·      EPS blocks allow for docks to float on the water

·      Cake Dummies

As you can tell, most foam used in industries is Expanded Polystyrene Foam.

Another common mistake

People often refer to Polystyrene beads as Styrofoam beads. These beads are used to fill beanbag chairs and in the production of lightweight concrete.

To create the puffed beads the resin of the EPS is puffed by applying steam to the resin in an enclosed chamber. Each bead has Pentane gas, which expands in the heat, causing the beads to grow. Once fully puffed, the beads primarily consist of air!  Once dried, the beads are ready for use.

Large EPS Puffed Beads

Expanded Polystyrene foam has many uses and can be molded and shaped into any form. For information on its counterpart- Styrofoam, check out the Styrofoam information post!

Call (410) 825-8300 or send us an email at sales@univfoam.com.