What is Polystyrene?
Polystyrene (PS) is a synthetic polymer product that comes in foam or solid form. It is one of the most common thermoplastic materials in the world. Reschcor extrudes solid or rigid PS. With an understanding of your application, we can suggest specific grades of either General-Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) or High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS). Each has unique properties that should be taken into consideration when deciding which one is best for your project and end-user.
Polystyrene Properties
General-Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS), sometimes referred to as Crystal PS comes in water clear and slightly blue tints. It has a glass-like clarity suitable for transparent packaging, medical, optics, and consumer applications. It has low impact strength but is better for use in higher heat applications.
High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), is produced with rubber additives and has much better impact strength. In its natural state, it is opaque in appearance. HIPS is often specified for low strength, low heat structural applications where low cost, impact strength, and machinability are required. Due to the durable nature of HIPS, it is often used in signage, barriers, display materials, appliances, automotive, and packaging.
Other Advantages
- Easy to process
- UL 94HB recognized grades available
- Good dimensional stability
- Easily printed using various media
- Inert, doesn’t react with other materials
- Easily painted and glued
- FDA compliant food grades available
- Fully recyclable and retains properties
Applications
Reschcor extrudes HIPS in a variety of profiles used for signage, shelving, trim, and tubing.
Reschcor’s Capabilities
Reschcor is the industry’s leading supplier for quality, custom-engineered plastic extrusion manufacturing. We pride ourselves on our ability to create a custom solution for even the most challenging of problems. Reschcor’s capabilities utilize 23 production lines covering a wide output range operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have extensive experience processing both pellet and powder formulations. Our state-of-the-art downstream equipment and advanced air, water and vacuum systems allow us to succeed with profiles of any shape or size. Contact Reschcor today so we can learn more about your company and understand how we can help your business succeed.