Polystyrene is a thermoplastic polymer made from styrene and is used to produce a variety of industrial and consumer products. It is a liquid hydrocarbon and is produced via free radical polymerization. Different types of polystyrene are used for various applications, including insulation, packaging, and crafts. When burned, it produces black carbon particles or soot, but when fully oxidized, only carbon dioxide and water vapor remain.
Polystyrene is a type of polymer with thermoplastic properties produced from the petroleum-derived monomer, styrene. In solid form, it is a colorless and rigid plastic, but it can also be liquidized by heating and reused by molding or extrusion. It is used to produce many products for industrial and consumer use. In fact, its presence as a plastic in everyday life is second only to polyethylene.
The chemical structure of this material allows it to be classified as a liquid hydrocarbon, i.e. composed exclusively of hydrogen and carbon. Like its precursor, it is an aromatic hydrocarbon that participates in covalent bonding with every other carbon atom attached to a phenolic group. It is produced via free radical polymerization, which means that the reaction involves breaking the bonds between electrons and releasing them “free” to form new bonds. When burned, this material produces black carbon particles or soot. When fully oxidized, only carbon dioxide and water vapor remain.
There are several types that are produced. Extruded polystyrene is believed to have the same tensile strength as unalloyed aluminum, but is lighter and more elastic. This is the material used to make a variety of molded products, ranging from plastic tableware to CD cases and model cars. It is also used to produce medical and pharmaceutical supplies.
Extruded polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, is a type of insulation with versatile applications, such as surfboard manufacturing. In fact, its buoyancy prompted the US Coast Guard to adopt its use in life rafts. This type can also be used in building materials or road construction. For example, it can act as an insulating layer under flooring to prevent freezing and thawing of the underlying soil from cracking the surface.
This strong yet lightweight material is also used for crafts and is usually sold in sheets. It typically consists of three layers, with the polystyrene in the center enclosed by paper on both sides. The sheets are often used as a support for mounting artwork or photographs, or for building architectural models. This foam is also familiar to those who work with flower crafts. Indeed, the characteristic “crunch” sound emitted at the time of cutting is well known to florists.
Expanded polystyrene foam is actually made from beads of the material. It’s used to make “peanuts” for packaging, disposable coffee cups, and foam picnic coolers. Unlike extruded foam, which is blue in color, expanded foam is typically white.
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