If you think about a material that can have multiple properties and uses, it will cease to amaze you each time. One such material is polystyrene for its clear, formless, and nonpolar properties.
It is thermoplastic, making it an easy-to-process material. Polystyrene can be easily cut and shaped into many semi-finished products like foams, sheets, etc.
Furthermore, expanded polystyrene, which is a type of foam made from polystyrene, is widely used in different fields. It is formed by steaming the polystyrene beads and expanding its dimensions.
This material has proved to be versatile, lightweight, and durable. Polystyrene also has high moisture resistance and thermal efficiency, making it suitable for applications needing the transfer of heat.
As a result, it is a popular and creative choice for construction, packaging industries, etc. However, as polystyrene is not limited to just one or two industries, this article will explore more of its creative uses in different fields.
1. Polystyrene Art and Craftwork
If a material is affordable and easy to use, it increases its efficiency and effectiveness. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is widely used in art for such reasons.
It is used in the form of polystyrene balls for their smooth and light texture. These are manufactured from purely recycled EPS and are easily available.
Polystyrene balls are a creative option for people to make their craft projects even more eye-catching. They are the type of product that can be easily customized using different tools.
For example, they can be decorated with stencils, pens, paints, and collage materials to create various crafts like birthday cards, ornaments, art pieces, etc. These are usually produced with 20-70mm diameter and can be shaped into even smaller pieces. This is possible as they are made of soft and moldable material.
2. Construction and Transportation Industry
There is no doubt that EPS is highly known for its thermal efficiency. It has low thermal conductivity, so it can easily maintain the temperature around them.
Hence, it acts as an excellent insulator and is used by construction industries to insulate the roofs and walls of buildings.
Furthermore, EPS is used in the transportation industry to help insulate the shipping boxes, coolers, and cargo containers. For its ability to control the temperature, it becomes an ideal option for assisting shipping in extreme weather.
3. Packaging Industry
When it comes to packaging fragile or delicate items, it is important that the material used should be able to protect the packaged item. So, EPS is usually the materials used for such purposes.
EPS is lightweight, durable, and shock or vibrant absorbent, making it useful for packing fragile products. For example, even if packaged items like glassware or electronics drop while transporting, they will likely not be damaged because they have been packaged by EPS.
Since it can maintain optimal temperatures, it is used in packaging meats and seafood to extend its shelf life. It is also a safe material to be in contact with food.
4. Manufacturing Ind it being often used in manufacturing is because of its affordability. It is a cost-effective material and is usable in manufacturing sports equipment too, like cycling helmets. They use this material because it is light to wear and provides safety due to its durability.
5. Marine Industry
In the marine sector, the main factor to consider is to prevent any risk of accidents by falling into the water. EPS or polystyrene is a favorable material for creating devices that can be water-resistant.
Moreover, it also serves the element of being afloat over water surfaces. Devices like life jackets, floating docks, and buoys are most effective when these are made by incorporating EPS or other polystyrene forms.
Besides such products, swimming pools and hot tubs also use EPS as an alternative to concrete. Hence, it has multiple uses for durability.
6. Medical Industry
Polystyrene is a versatile product and is used in developing many medical applications, such as implants, for its formless properties.
This material can be used to make customized implants for patients and prosthetic devices.
Additionally, products like test tubes, petri dishes, etc., used in medical tests also use polystyrene for providing various sizes and shapes.
Conclusion
Polystyrene is a very effective and efficient material due to its immense productivity in different fields. It is a unique material that has several qualities, such as being lightweight, durable, formless, and so on.
What is more beneficial is that it is cost-effective and easily available. So, in-depth learning about it can make anyone appreciate it even more.
You are surrounded by polystyrene in your everyday life as it is used in the walls of your home, in the packaging of your food, in medical devices you use, and much more.
Therefore, you should always acknowledge that it is beneficial material.
