WHAT IS EPS ?

Expandable polystyrene (EPS) are small polystyrene pellets or beads containing some dissolved liquid, in most cases pentane, some times butane. The dissolved liquid serves in the later processing stages as a foaming agent. The processing of the EPS is made in three basic stages, namely: pre-foaming, aging, moulding .

The pentane-loaded bead is then exposed to pressurized steam that causes the polystyrene to expand and mold into the desired shape and density needed. Manufacturing EPS does not involve the use of ozone depleting CFCs or HCFCs. The final product is a moisture resistant closed-cell structure that is comprised of 90 percent air.

EPS possesses the physical and mechanical properties ideal for most insulating needs. As a closed cell structure, aging has no effect on the long-term thermal resistance. Due to its flexibility and versatility, it can be cut into sheets, slabs or any desired design to meet specific building code requirements as well as customized designs. EPS is utilized as insulation in walls, roofs and foundation as well as a component in structural insulated panels, insulated concrete forms and exterior and insulating form systems. Other growing applications include flotation devices, cold storage insulation and geofoam.

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