Styrofoam - characteristics and application in construction

Modern, technologically advanced and possessing a wide range of functions, extruded polystyrene deservedly earned the title of a unique material. In the construction, production of sanitary ware, decoration of road works and many other spheres with the advent of extruded polystyrene, a new era has come. We will understand what kind of material it is, and what are its features.

extruded polystyrene foam

What is extruded polystyrene. Differences of EPS from conventional polystyrene( foam)

The material appeared more than six decades ago. Extruded polystyrene foam( also called extruded polystyrene foam) is a new word in the manufacture of universal building and insulating materials. This plastic, characterized by a uniform structure, consisting of small( about 0.1-0.2 mm), closed cells. In order to obtain an EPP sheet, mixing of the polystyrene beads at a high pressure and temperature while simultaneously introducing a blowing agent. They can be a mixture of light freons and carbon dioxide. The mixture is then extruded from the extruder. The result of the work is transparent or colored sheets. After drying the plates are ready for use. Extruded polystyrene is a sheet of plastic that works under the influence of a permanent ultraviolet effect. Due to the method used in production, the homogeneity of the composition and the structure of the resulting material( closed cellular structure), the sheets acquire high thermal insulation and strength characteristics.

EPS polystyrene pellets

Extruded polystyrene foam has a related chemical composition with polystyrene, because they have one "ancestor" - polystyrene. But here on the functional extrusion foam polystyrene with polystyrene is no longer comparable. He is an order of magnitude ahead of his polymeric colleague. The reason lies in the fundamental differences in the technology of production of these materials. The foam does not pass through the extruder, but the EPP - passes. Extrusion gives the polymer an entirely different transformation vector, and hence other properties and qualities. First, the pellets melt, forming a homogeneous viscous mass, transferring the raw material from the solid to the viscous-flowing state. All further transformations proceed with a single liquid-phase substance having indissoluble intermolecular bonds. The microstructure of the EPP, which is a single chemical substance, with cells filled with gas, thanks to the absence of pores, does not absorb steam and moisture from the outside, in contrast to a porous foam.

EPG

Features Surprisingly, this unique material demonstrates a combination of qualities that people could only dream of before.

• Virtually no water absorption: even when the plates are completely submerged in water, it is only the first 10 days. Since the cells of the substance are soldered, the water can not pass inside any of its states, filling only the side open "honeycombs".
• Low thermal conductivity of EPG( much lower than other insulating materials
• Greater brittleness and less ductility than foamed polystyrene
• The ability of the material to transmit light
• High compressive strength
• Frost resistance, non-rotting
• Resistance tochemical substances: water, acids, oils, caustic alkalis, salt solutions, bleach, alcohol and dyes based on it, fluorinated hydrocarbons, cement, ammonia, CO2, propane, acetylene, butane, paraffinWell
• Safety for humans

Scheme for use in the construction of extruded polystyrene foam

Extrusion of polystyrene

Extruded polystyrene is directly dependent on its properties The technical characteristics of extruded polystyrene plates allow the use of:

1. as a building material and waterproofing simultaneously. In the constructions of cellars, foundations, roofs and floors;
2. as thermal insulating elements;
3. for erection of enclosing structures( on the street, tc EPP is not afraid of temperature differences);
4. as a universal insulation. In construction and road and highway construction EPP provides resistance to coating deformations, does not allow freezing of the ground, the formation of "ice" lenses.
5. as a "glass": in ordinary windows, in plumbing devices( shower cabins, bathrooms), in agro-industries( greenhouses, greenhouses, light diffusers), in trade( stand, price tag, display case, etc.);

EPG boards are used in general civil and industrial, private construction, in the refrigeration industry, in the construction of highways and any engineering facilities( heating mains, water pipes, oil pipelines).

EPD boards

Advantages of extrusion polystyrene

• Possibility to use EPP in the Russian climate, due to frost resistance and non-rotting exposure.
• Possibility to store extruded polystyrene on the street, as it is not afraid of temperature changes.
• Longevity of the material: it can last up to 50 years( outdoors).
• Easy to install slabs.
• Democratic price. Almost all Russians can buy EPP.
• A unique combination of material characteristics.
• The ability to dispense with the use of this plastic without additional hydro- and thermal insulation, additional protection of structures.
• Environmental cleanliness of the material.
• EPG boards are thin( approximately 20mm), in comparison with 30mm thick foam, or 4cm thickness of mineral wool.

EPG stacking

Features of use and material selection.

• Long-term operation of extruded polystyrene foam is guaranteed in the temperature range from minus 50 * С to + 75 * С.It is in this temperature interval that the physical and thermal properties of the EPP are unchanged.
• Extruded polystyrene foam allows you to mount sheets directly during the erection of the object, or put an additional layer of insulation in the house already during the finish.
• Store the material recommended outdoors, in "native" packaging, not under direct sunlight.
• Before applying the adhesive, you need to understand if it does not hurt the plastic. The rules for the use of EPP are important, because when using the wrong adhesive, the plates can shrink or soften. Not suitable for mounting extruded polystyrene foam:

1. paint thinners;
2. Coal tar( and adhesives based on its derivatives);
3. acetone;
4. petroleum toluene;
5. ethyl acetate;
6. water-based agents used for wood protection and containing solvents.

Erection process for EPD

In the US, where EPPs were first obtained, the use of expanded polystyrene is already prohibited. The world trend for the gradual replacement of inefficient materials for extruded polystyrene is developing in Russia.

Video - extruded polystyrene foam