Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a lightweight cellular plastic material consisting of small hollow spherical balls. Compressive strength. During the storage phase, which may last as little as a few hours to up to three days, the prepuffs are left in the silos until they reach the desired temperature. Home | News & Announcements | Contact Us | Related Links | Privacy Policy, Production, Technology & Operations Conference. Since the 1950s, EPS has been … EPS geofoam is resistant to most acids, bases and aqueous solutions of salts and alkalis. It can be … Expanded polystyrene, or EPS geofoam, is a cost-efficient insulation material used in the construction industry. All rights reserved. Polystyrene can also be used as part of temporary shuttering to create shaped concrete to match any existing or new building designs. Therefore, it is considered to be a fairly chemically inert material. The conversion of expandable polystyrene to expanded polystyrene is carried out in three stages: Pre-expansion, Maturing/Stabilization and Molding Polystyrene is produced from the crude oil refinery product styrene. The simplest recycling involves crumbling the old EPS into small pieces and remolding them into usable shapes. It also has the highest average R-value per dollar compared to other rigid foam insulation materials. The air pockets that are formed during the manufacturing process make it a great thermal insulator. At about $0.31 per square foot for a one-inch thick panel, EPS geofoam costs less per square foot than any other rigid foam board insulation product. EPS insulation has a typical R-value of 3.85 per inch at a mean temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a typical R-value of 4.17 per inch at a mean temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher densities of EPS geofoam have a greater comprehensive strength than lower densities. After 15 years, both EPS and XPS were removed and tested using the ASTM C1512 test (Standard Test Method for Characterizing the Effect of Exposure to Environmental Cycling on Thermal Performance of Insulation Products). … EPS is … EPS geofoam is manufactured from polystyrene resin beads via a process called polymerization. A closer look at: Expanded Polystyrene Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) has become known for its role in smaller combustible cladding fires over the last 20 years due to its very flammable composition. Ability to inhibit growth of biological air contaminants. Because of that, it offers more R-value per dollar than other similar products. It is extraordinarily light and buoyant, and a good insulator against heat and sound. Unlike the R-value, in which the higher the number, the better, a material with a lower perm rating is better at retarding movement of water vapor. A material’s ability to not only resist moisture but to readily release any moisture it does absorb, referred to as “drying potential,” is also an important factor to consider in an insulation material. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and tough, closed-cell foam. No gases are included. The R-value of EPS geofoam insulation remains constant because the closed-cell structure of EPS geofoam contains only stabilized air. High compressive strengths of up to 60 psi make EPS durable and long-lasting and able to stand up to harsh conditions without deterioration. EPS exhibits a higher R-value over moist-dry cycles, most often seen in below-grade applications, outperforming XPS insulation and providing a long-term R-value to the project. EPS geofoam’s strength is even more amazing considering it is so lightweight. EPS is used widely in the building and construction industry. Density is a significant driver of cost —the denser the material, the more expensive the cost. EPS geofoam is water resistant and can inhibit the growth of these organisms. And, far more energy is saved over the lifetime of a building insulated with EPS foam board than is used during the manufacturing process for producing the product. Size and density. Because a molding process is used to produce EPS foam, there are more sizes available to select from, compared to XPS foam board which comes in limited sheet sizes. Issues, such as the construction of pavements on low bearing capacity subgrade soils (such as peats and clays), or in regions with severe winters, and the construction … EPS is one of the few rigid foam insulations with a stable thermal resistance throughout its life. These building panels are often used both as load bearing also as non-load … EPS foam offers exceptional dimensional stability. There are two reasons why Molygran can provide construction and engineering solutions. Copyright 2012 © EPS Industry Alliance. And since EPS geofoam is a manufactured product, every time you use it in a project instead of a natural product, you are helping to sustain the environment. Finally, the material is released from the mold and stored until dry. The long-term performance advantages of EPS insulation correlate directly to increased energy efficiency and reduced energy costs over the life of the building. Since the 1950s, EPS has been recognized as a mainstream insulation material, however over the past decade, new applications have rapidly developed. Ability to inhibit growth of biological air contaminants. The compressive resistance of EPS geofoam at 1% deformation ranges from 2.2 psi to 18.6 psi. However, many organic solvents such as acetone, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents can attack the foam and cause it to dissolve. When used in construction as thermal insulation, it gives significant savings on heating and cooling buildings, therefore greatly reducing CO2 and SO2 emissions. Because a molding process is used to produce EPS foam, there are more sizes available to select from, compared to XPS foam board which comes in limited sheet sizes. One pound of EPS geofoam will support 3.5 pounds per square inch while retaining 1% or less deformation. In the next phase, the prepuffs are poured into molds to obtain the size of material specified. Elasticized Polystyrene Used in Bridge Construction Elasticized polystyrene has been used, and has proven its effectiveness, in bridge construction for over 20 years in the colder areas of the United … Moisture promotes the growth of many organisms such as mold, mildew, fungi and other bacteria. EPS geofoam is 98% to 99% air by volume. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam has for many years been used as a conventional insulation material in construction, and is extremely energy efficient. In 2016, more than 118.7 million pounds of EPS geofoam was recycled in the U.S. You’ll find recycled EPS geofoam in everything from insulated cups to outdoor furniture. It is usually white and made of pre-expanded polystyrene beads. And, it isn’t attractive to rats and other vermin as a source of food. Standard-sized EPS foam insulation is available in multiple sizes up to 36-inches thick and 16-feet long or larger. A versatile building material, it works well for a variety of different applications such as road construction, bridge abutments, slope stabilization, building foundations, retaining walls, stadium and theatre seating, fill for underground utilities and landscaping and insulation for both above- and below-grade applications. Expanded Polystyrene Used in Bridge Construction EPS products, including flute fillers, Terraflex Elasticized Polystyrene, and EPS Geofoam are used in road and bridge construction throughout the … EPS geofoam weighs in at only one to two pounds per cubic foot, depending on size. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and tough, closed-cell foam with a normal density range of 11 to 32 kg/m 3. Durability. EPS (expanded polystyrene) is an excellent material for packaging and for construction as it is a light yet rigid foam with good thermal insulation and high impact resistance. Pentane, a hydrocarbon solvent, is typically used as the blowing agent during the manufacturing process. Standard-sized EPS foam insulation is available in multiple sizes up to 36-inches thick and 16-feet long or larger. Since EPS geofoam is a thermoplastic material, it will not rot or decompose over time. Buildings insulated with EPS geofoam insulation are more economical to maintain over the years. Since EPS geofoam is a thermoplastic material, it will not rot or decompose over time. High compressive strengths of up to 60 psi make EPS durable and long-lasting and able to stand up to harsh conditions without deterioration. The EPS insulation had a moisture content of 4.8%, compared to an 18.9% moisture content for the XPS insulation. Steam is injected into the molds through tiny slots, to begin the fusion process. Moisture promotes the growth of many organisms such as mold, mildew, fungi and other bacteria. However, expanded polystyrene is being used for new tasks on the construction … And, far more energy is saved over the lifetime of a building insulated with EPS foam board than is used during the manufacturing process for producing the product. It is extremely lightweight, but strong and durable. At about $0.31 per square foot for a one-inch thick panel, EPS geofoam costs less per square foot than any other rigid foam board insulation product. It uses no harmful greenhouse gases in the manufacturing process — pentane, a hydrocarbon solvent which doesn’t affect the ozone layer — is most often used as the blowing agent. The perm rating may not be indicative of the long-term results. Expanded polystyrene has many uses in construction jobs. It manufactured blocks measuring from 0.6 m to 4.9 m (2 ft to 16 ft) in thickness, but … Now, EPS is a powerful design element and an ideal choice for green building design, offering tangible environmental advantages that can maximize energy efficiency, providing improved indoor environmental quality and enhancing durability. You have probably noticed the roadworks as well as the famous orange cone areas lately. This means buildings will be cooler during the hot, summer months and warmer during the cold winter months, while reducing the building’s overall energy consumption. R-value is a measure of a material’s resistance to heat transfer. Plus, the product itself doesn’t emit any greenhouse gases. This publication aims to provide balanced information based on the manufacture, use and recovery from waste of EPS in the packaging and construction … In fact, several different types of EPS geofoam can be specified on a single project to maximize savings. A versatile building material, it works well for a variety of different applications such as. Dimensional stability. However, many organic solvents such as acetone, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents can attack the foam and cause it to dissolve. Lightweight expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an ideal material for pre-fabricated building … One pound of EPS geofoam will support 3.5 pounds per square inch while retaining 1% or less deformation. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) can also be made out of recycled polystyrene. It is also resistant to microorganisms in the soil. In 1965, the first expanded polystyrene (EPS) block molding plant was established in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During this phase, recycled EPS material is mixed with the prepuffs and is also fused into the material. EPS geofoam is 100% recyclable and can be reheated and reformed indefinitely. It is dependent upon the thickness and density of the building material. It has an incredibly long lifespan – up to 50 years. The manufacturing process for EPS conventionally begins with the creation of small polystyrene … Getting the maximum performance for the dollar is paramount in the competitive arena of the construction industry. EPS foam offers exceptional dimensional stability. Foamex polystyrene building products make a major contribution to the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of construction as well as contributing to the sustainability of completed projects. Firstly, expanded polystyrene has qualities essential to engineering and construction … It’s lightweight, meaning products … And, it isn’t attractive to rats and other vermin as a source of food. It is also resistant to microorganisms in the soil. EPS geofoam’s strength is even more amazing considering it is so lightweight. The compressive resistance of EPS geofoam at 1% deformation ranges from 2.2 psi to 18.6 psi. It is among the few insulating materials with a … Expanded polystyrene foam board insulation is a flexible, low-cost insulation product that is widely used by contractors in both residential and commercial construction for walls, roofing and below grade … Like … Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is the generic industry name for the white rigid material made by expanding polystyrene beads with steam and pressure to bond the beads together to form blocks or to shape molds. Using EPS Geofoam in Retaining Wall Construction, Using EPS Geofoam to Reduce Weight in Utilities. 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