Polystyrene

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Title: Polystyrene

Polystyrene is a widely used synthetic aromatic polymer derived from the monomer styrene. It is known for its versatility and is employed in various applications, such as packaging, insulation, and as a raw material in the manufacturing of plastics[1][2].

Summary:

Polystyrene is a polymer made from styrene monomers, which is used in a broad range of applications, including packaging and insulation. It is an aromatic polymer and is derived from the monomer styrene.

[4]

Styrofoam on Wikipedia

Title: Styrofoam

Styrofoam is a trademarked brand of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), manufactured to provide continuous building insulation board used in walls, roofs, and foundations as thermal insulation and as a water barrier. Styrofoam is often used in food containers, coffee cups, and as cushioning material in packaging[4].

Summary:

Styrofoam is a brand name for closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), which is used as a continuous building insulation board and in various packaging applications. It is manufactured by DuPont and is known for its lightweight and buoyant properties.

Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene
[2] https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Polystyrene
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrofoam

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
polystyrene (noun)
a of styrene - polymer , especially a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
Polystyrene (Wikipedia)

Polystyrene (PS) /ˌpɒliˈstrn/ is a synthetic polymer made from monomers of the aromatic hydrocarbon styrene. Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. General-purpose polystyrene is clear, hard, and brittle. It is an inexpensive resin per unit weight. It is a poor barrier to air and water vapor and has a relatively low melting point. Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, with the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year. Polystyrene is naturally transparent, but can be colored with colorants. Uses include protective packaging (such as packing peanuts and in the jewel cases used for storage of optical discs such as CDs and occasionally DVDs), containers, lids, bottles, trays, tumblers, disposable cutlery, in the making of models, and as an alternative material for phonograph records.

Polystyrene
Repeating unit of PS polymer chain
Names
IUPAC name
Poly(1-phenylethylene)
Other names
Thermocol
Identifiers
AbbreviationsPS
ChemSpider
  • none
ECHA InfoCard100.105.519 Edit this at Wikidata
Properties
(C8H8)n
Density0.96–1.05 g/cm3
Melting point~ 240 °C (464 °F; 513 K) for isotactic polystyrene
Boiling point430 °C (806 °F; 703 K) and depolymerizes
Insoluble
SolubilitySoluble in benzene, carbon disulfide, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, chloroform, cyclohexanone, dioxane, ethyl acetate, ethylbenzene, MEK, NMP, THF
Thermal conductivity0.033 W/(m·K) (foam, ρ 0.05 g/cm3)
1.6; dielectric constant 2.6 (1 kHz – 1 GHz)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Styrene (monomer)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Expanded polystyrene packaging
A polystyrene yogurt container
Bottom of a vacuum-formed cup; fine details such as the glass and fork food contact materials symbol and the resin identification code symbol are easily molded

As a thermoplastic polymer, polystyrene is in a solid (glassy) state at room temperature but flows if heated above about 100 °C, its glass transition temperature. It becomes rigid again when cooled. This temperature behaviour is exploited for extrusion (as in Styrofoam) and also for molding and vacuum forming, since it can be cast into molds with fine detail. The temperatures behavior can be controlled by photocrosslinking.

Under ASTM standards, polystyrene is regarded as not biodegradable. It is accumulating as a form of litter in the outside environment, particularly along shores and waterways, especially in its foam form, and in the Pacific Ocean.

Polystyrene (Wiktionary)

English

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