Extrusion is a continuous process that consists of melting a thermoplastic and pushing it through a die under high pressure. Polystyrene sheet extrusion is the basis for many of the key polystyrene applications. Some PS sheet is printed and used for indoor signs and point of purchase displays. More often polystyrene sheet is thermoformed into final products such as disposable plates and cups. Thermoforming is the forming of an extruded sheet which is heated and pneumatically drawn into a cavity (most often plug assisted). A large processing temperature range, capability for economical high speed conversion and no need to dry before processing make polystyrene the preferred material for the thermoforming of many finished products.
For more technical information on the extrusion process, please click here.
| Polystyrene Products for Extrusion |
| Product |
Resin Type |
MFI , 200/5.0, g/10mn |
Vicat Softening Point, °F |
Notched Izod @ 73°F
in ft-lb/in |
Flexural Strength, psi |
|
523
|
High Heat Crystal |
11.0
|
218
|
N/A
|
11,900
|
|
524B
|
Crystal |
9.0
|
213
|
N/A
|
13,500 |
|
536
|
High Heat Crystal |
9.5
|
218
|
N/A
|
11,700
|
|
585
|
High Heat Crystal |
1.6
|
224
|
N/A
|
14,200
|
|
680
|
Medium Impact |
2.0
|
220
|
0.90
|
13,000
|
|
740
|
High Impact |
4.0
|
210
|
1.90
|
8,300
|
|
819E
|
High Impact |
2.6
|
219
|
2.20
|
9,000
|
|
825E
|
High Impact |
3.0
|
210
|
2.00
|
6,900
|
|
825EX
|
High Impact |
3.0
|
210
|
1.90
|
8,000
|
|
844E
|
High Impact |
3.0
|
210
|
2.20
|
6,000
|
|
845E
|
High Impact |
3.0
|
206
|
2.20
|
6,200
|
|
935E
|
Super High Impact |
3.7
|
208
|
2.50
|
5,500
|
|
940E
|
Super High Impact |
2.8
|
210
|
2.80
|
6,700
|
|
945E
|
Super High Impact |
3.5
|
203
|
3.00
|
6,300
|
|
960E
|
Specialty |
3.8
|
209
|
2.90
|
5,000
|
|
975E
|
Specialty |
2.8
|
208
|
2.30
|
5,800
|
|
