Polystyrene
Polystyrene is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer made from the monomer known as styrene. It is a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products.
There are 2 types of Polystyrene solid state and foam.
Solid state: GPPS and HIPS
Foam state: Expandable polystyrene
General-purpose polystyrene is clear, hard, and brittle. It is an inexpensive resin per unit weight Polystyrene, a hard, stiff, brilliantly transparent synthetic resin produced by the polymerization of styrene.
It is widely employed in the food-service industry as rigid trays and containers, disposable eating utensils, and foamed cups, plates, and bowls.
Common uses:
Rigid Trays and Containers
Disposable Eating Utensils
Foamed Cups
Plates and Bowls.
| NSF Chemicals | Type | Characteristics | Melt Flow index | Application |
| GPPS | 1 | General Purpose | 9 | Kitchen utensils – Cosmetic case – Dust covers for electronic |
| 2 | High Strength | 5.5 | Tray – Cup | |
| 3 | Heat Resistance | 7 | Extruded polystyrene insulation | |
| 4 | Super High Strength, Extrusion | 3 | Refrigerator food trays – Humidifiers – Optical parts, | |
| 5 | Super High Strength | 2.5 | Extruded polystyrene insulation | |
| HIPS | 1 | General Purpose | 9 | Office equipment – Electronic home appliances – Toys – Kitchen utensils – Miscellaneous goods – Leisure goods |
| 2 | High Flow | 13 | TV cabinet for low pressure gas injection molding – Key board | |
| 3 | High Heat Resistance / Impact resistance | 4.5 – 5.5 | TV cabinet – Humidifier – Typewriter – Audio housings – Sports equipment – OA equipment | |
| 4 | Stress crack resistance | 3.8 – 4.5 | Door liners – Disposable cups – Food packing sheet – Wrapping films – Trays – Washing machines – Refrigerator inner liner | |
| 5 | High Gloss, High Impact | 4 | PC swivel – Washing machine cover – Leisure table – Office equipments | |
| 6 | Demoldability | 9 | Disposable cups – Yogurt beverage bottles |