polystyrene (PS)
polymerPolystyrene (PS) is a rigid, amorphous thermoplastic polymer produced by polymerization of styrene monomer, known for its ease of processing and excellent dimensional stability. It is widely used in consumer products, packaging, and protective applications due to its low cost, good stiffness, and transparency, with expanded (foam) variants providing superior insulation and cushioning properties. Engineers select PS when cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacturing are priorities, though its brittleness at low temperatures and limited chemical resistance make it unsuitable for high-stress or solvent-exposed environments.
disposable food containers and cupsprotective packaging and foam insulationconsumer electronics housingsdisplay cases and transparent fixturesinjection-molded structural partsthermal insulation applications
Compliance & Regulations
?UL 94?ITAR?EAR?Conflict Free?RoHS?REACH?TSCA?Prop 65
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hardness (Vickers)(HV) | — | HV | — | — | |
Ultimate Tensile Strength(σUTS) | — | Pa | — | — | |
Young's Modulus(E) | — | Pa | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glass Transition Temperature(Tg) | — | K | — | — | |
Melting Point / Solidus(Tm) | — | K | — | — | |
Maximum Service Temperature(Tmax) | — | K | — | — | |
Thermal Conductivity(k) | — | W/(m·K) | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
| Property | Value | Unit | Conditions | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Refractive Index(n) | — | - | — | — |
Verified Unverified Low confidence (<80%) Link to source
Regulatory Screening
Environmental
Export Control
Safety & Biocompatibility
Quality & Standards
Industry-Specific
RoHS, REACH, and Prop 65 statuses are validated against official substance lists (ECHA SVHC Candidate List, OEHHA Prop 65, RoHS Annex II). Other regulations are estimated from composition and material classification. All screening is a starting point for due diligence — always verify with your supplier before making compliance decisions.