Polystyrene pellets are made from petroleum byproducts and infused with air to create lightweight, durable products like foam insulation and food packaging. They are difficult to recycle and can last for ages in landfills. Styrofoam balls are also used in art and craft supplies.
Polystyrene pellets are tiny polymer molecules that have been infused with air to increase their size. The polymers used to form these molecules are derived from petroleum byproducts through a process of distillation and refining. Once infused with air, the spheres can be joined together to form larger beads or shaped into products ranging from foam building insulation to food packaging.
The polymers used to form the polystyrene spheres begin as molecules measuring just 0.02 inches (0.5 mm) in diameter. They are subjected to a steam process that infuses air into the molecule to create a much larger polystyrene bead. These are the same foam beads found in the average bean bag chair. If the beads are placed into a mold or extruded through a mold, they can be joined together to form much larger products. In the average polystyrene product, the polymer molecules have been infused with so much air that the air makes up a much larger percentage of the material composition than the polymer itself.
One of the main advantages of styrofoam balls is that they are incredibly light. Despite their air-infused nature, they are also very strong and durable. While polystyrene is widely used due to these benefits and its low cost, many critics express concerns about the long life of this product. Styrofoam is difficult to recycle and can last for ages in a landfill.
Loose styrofoam balls are used to fill bean bag chairs or toys. When molded or extruded, they are also used to make product packaging, including packing peanuts and rigid foam wrap used to protect electronics. This material is used to make hot food containers found in take-out restaurants as well as disposable cups and plates. Polystyrene can also be formed into dense sheets of foam which are used to insulate buildings.
Styrofoam balls used in art and craft supplies are made in a slightly different technique than those used in food packaging and insulation. These beads are pre-expanded and treated with solvents before being steamed, resulting in a dense material that creates a crunching sound when cut or damaged. They are used to make many products used in art projects, including balls as small as a marble or as large as a basketball. Manufacturers also form styrofoam balls into various shapes, such as Easter eggs or animals, which can be painted or decorated. This type of Styrofoam also serves as a stable base material for artificial flowers, such as bouquets used as gravestones.
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