Details on the BASF plastic Polystyrene can be found on the PlasticsPortal
Polystyrene, abbreviated PS, is a plastic used in many different areas of everyday life. Polystyrene is also sometimes called polystyrol and is used either as a thermoplastic material or as foam.
Raw material for polystyrene is styrene monomer, a colorless liquid. Polymerization of this monomer gives rise to general-purpose polystyrene (abbreviated GPPS), a stiff, transparent thermoplastic polymer. Because of its limited impact resistance, GPPS is often impact-modified with a rubber component, giving rise to high-impact polystyrene (abbreviated PS-I or HIPS)
BASF supplies polystyrene either as foam, e.g. under the brand names Styropor®, Styrodur® and Neopor®, or as pellets (granules) for thermoplastic processing by injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, and injection blow molding.
The range of BASF’s thermoplastic polystyrene products comprises general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) as well as high-impact polystyrene (HIPS or PS-I) differing in heat deflection temperature, flowability, stiffness, and toughness.
Important areas of application of these plastic materials are for example:
- Food packaging, such as beverage cups, packaging for dairy products, disposable tableware and injection-molded service packaging
- Housings for vacuum cleaners, printers, monitors, and other electronic devices
- Inserts, boxes and door paneling for refrigerators and freezers
- Toys.
You can find a wealth of information on polystyrene and on the other plastics of the broad BASF product range here on the PlasticsPortal. Get information on properties, product range, processing, applications, and even on the current gross market price for polystyrene. Many product datasheets and brochures are also available.
Further information and functionalities available on the PlasticsPortal which you can use cost-free and without obligation include:
- Product selection by application, chemical denomination and technical properties
- Information on environmental health and safety of BASF plastics, e.g. food approvals, UL listings, material safety datasheets (MSDS), and information on the absence of hazardous substances.
- Information on self-coloring of polystyrene and other BASF thermoplastics.
- Online help for identifying and solving injection molding problems
And, in case you still have questions, under “Services and Support” you will find a list of frequently asked questions and their answers as well as contacts for the different product areas which will be glad to help you.
