Extruded Polystyrene | Discover the Differences Between Extruded Polystyrene Foam & Styrofoam - Foam Equipment & Consulting (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between extruded polystyrene and Styrofoam? ›

STYROFOAM is a registered trademark of the DuPont. This trademark covers a full range of extruded polystyrene building products used primarily in construction for wall insulation, floor insulation, and roof insulation systems.

Polystyrenes can come in three different forms. These forms are called atactic polystyrene, isotactic polystyrene, and syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) (Figure 6.30). Most commercially available polystyrene is atactic polystyrene.

Rigid polystyrene (PS) is typically used in applications requiring its stiffness, resistance to cracking, and ease of modification. The light bulk density of expanded polystyrene (EPS) provides outstanding insulation and cushioning and is frequently used in applications requiring these properties.

Expanded Polystyrene. The major difference between Styrofoam and EPS foam blocks is that Styrofoam is made from extruded polystyrene (XPS) while EPS foam blocks are made of expanded polystyrene.

Polystyrene foam not only poses a threat to human health, but can also be harmful to the environment. Foam is lightweight and is easily blown by wind or washed away by rain into water sources. It is also very brittle, and can break into small pieces that are easy for animals to eat.

Extruded Polystyrene Board is ideal for a range of uses – from wall and ceiling insulation, cool rooms & refrigeration, under concrete slab (i.e. car park), and even for architectural modelling or hobby model making. Extruded Polystyrene is the ideal insulation material for houses and commercial applications.

Pink and blue foam boards are two types of extruded polystyrene insulation products. There are also expanded polystyrene insulation products which are far less costly than the pink and blue foam boards. The major drawback to these expanded foam boards is that they are very fragile and have a lower insulating power.

Polystyrene (solid and foam) is widely used to protect consumer products. CD and DVD cases, foam packaging peanuts for shipping, food packaging, meat/poultry trays and egg cartons typically are made with polystyrene to protect against damage or spoilage.

performance mostly depends on density and to a lesser extent other aspects, such as moisture content and bead size and shape. Commonly available grades are S and H, but the standard also defines other grades, such as SL and VH. For S grade, the typical density is 16 kg/m3 and for H grade, 24 kg/m3.

One of the key parameters for any type of insulation is its thermal conductivity. XPS and EPS are both popular insulation types because they both have low thermal conductivity. EPS has pockets of air trapped inside the foam board, so XPS typically outperforms EPS.

What is the difference between extruded polystyrene and PIR? ›

The difference between XPS and PIR/PUR

Both XPS and PIR/PUR are closed-cell insulation materials, but contrary to XPS, PIR/PUR are mainly made of chemicals. PIR/PUR have even better lambda values than XPS, resulting in very thin insulation layers. By contrast, XPS has greater compressive strength than PIR and PUR.

Type 1 polystyrene insulation has a typical thermal resistance value or R3. 7/in., while Type 2 polystyrene insulation has a minimum thermal resistance value of R4. 0/in. Type 1 is moulded bead polystyrene.

Styrofoam is a trademarked brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam, or XPS. This foam is also referred to as “Blue Board” and is used for building insulation, thermal insulation and water barriers. Styrofoam is owned and manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company.

Styrofoam is slow to degrade and frequently leaches chemicals into the environment. Styrofoam manufacturing requires using hydrocarbons, which are released into the air and produce a hazardous pollutant, ground-level ozone. This pollutant can impair lung function and lead to respiratory illness.

– Density: Styrofoam (EPS foam) is less dense than solid Polystyrene. This lower density contributes to its lightweight and buoyant characteristics. – Rigidity: EPS foam is often more rigid, making it suitable for insulation and packaging. Solid Polystyrene, on the other hand, is rigid but can be brittle.

XPS and EPS are both popular insulation types because they both have low thermal conductivity. EPS has pockets of air trapped inside the foam board, so XPS typically outperforms EPS. High-density EPS is closer in performance to XPS, but XPS still usually performs better.

Life Expectancy of XPS insulation (Extruded Polystyrene) typically is 20 to 30+ years with correct installation and upkeep, providing thermal protection and energy savings. Its durable nature ensures continued performance against temperature variations and weather conditions.