High Impact & General purpose Polystyrene
Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer made from the monomer styrene. It is a versatile plastic known for its rigidity, clarity, and ease of processing.
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a modified version of polystyrene that includes rubber additives, which enhance its toughness and impact resistance.
Properties
​​
-
Enhanced Durability: HIPS is designed specifically to withstand impacts, making it ideal for products that require toughness and resilience.
-
Versatile Processing: HIPS can be easily molded, extruded, and thermoformed, allowing for a wide range of manufacturing techniques.
-
Cost-Effective: Compared to other impact-resistant plastics, HIPS is generally more affordable, helping manufacturers keep costs down.
-
Good Aesthetic Qualities: HIPS can be easily painted, printed on, and laminated, making it suitable for products that require a finished appearance.
-
Lightweight: Its low density makes HIPS easy to handle and transport, reducing shipping costs and energy consumption.
-
Chemical Resistance: HIPS has good resistance to many chemicals, making it suitable for a variety of industrial applications.
-
Recyclable: HIPS can be recycled, which supports sustainability initiatives and can reduce material costs in production.
-
Excellent Sound Dampening: HIPS offers good sound insulation properties, making it useful in applications like automotive interiors where noise reduction is important.
Consumer Products (toys, household goods, and kitchenware) & Appliance Housings (casings of appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and microwaves)
Automotive Parts: Employed in dashboards, door panels, and interior components
Point of Purchase Displays: Used in retail displays and signage for its ease of fabrication and ability to hold graphics well.
Medical Devices: Applied in the manufacturing of medical equipment and disposable items that require both safety and strength.
General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS)
General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) is a transparent and rigid form of polystyrene known for its ease of processing and excellent clarity, but it is more brittle compared to HIPS.
Properties​​
-
Clarity: GPPS is known for its excellent optical clarity, making it suitable for applications where visibility of contents is important, such as food packaging and display items.
-
Cost-Effective: GPPS is generally less expensive than many other plastics, making it an economical choice for various applications.
-
Ease of Processing: It can be easily molded, extruded, and thermoformed, allowing for efficient manufacturing of complex shapes and designs.
-
Brittleness: While it has good rigidity, GPPS is relatively brittle compared to other plastics, which can limit its use in applications requiring high impact resistance.
-
Good Surface Finish: GPPS offers a smooth surface finish, which enhances its aesthetic appeal and printability for branding and labeling.
-
Chemical Resistance: It has moderate resistance to certain chemicals, though it may not perform well against strong solvents or oils.
-
Non-Toxic: GPPS is considered safe for food contact applications, making it suitable for disposable tableware and food containers.
-
Versatile Applications: GPPS is widely used in products like packaging materials, disposable cutlery, medical devices, and household goods
ï‚· Consumer Products: Toys, household goods, stationery, food containers, disposable cups, & cutlery
Medical Supplies: Used in petri dishes, syringes, & other medical applications where transparency & sterility are important.
Electrical Enclosures: Employed in housing for electronic components and devices due to its good insulation properties.
Signs and Displays: Utilized for making promotional materials, signage, and retail displays because of its ease of printing and fabrication.