What is expanded polystyrene EPS foam?
What is expanded polystyrene EPS foam?
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a lightweight cellular plastic material consisting of small hollow spherical balls that are expanded through a molding process in our factories to create a cost effective, highly efficient material used in hundreds of different applications.
What is expanded polystyrene foam used for?
Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) is a white foam plastic material produced from solid beads of polystyrene. It is primarily used for packaging, insulation, etc. It is a closed-cell, rigid foam material produced from: Styrene – which forms the cellular structure.
Is expanded polystyrene good for insulation?
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Expanded polystyrene foam provides great thermal insulation in numerous applications, such as building walls, roofing, and cold storage facilities. Polystyrene insulation is inert, durable, and resistant to water damage.
Is EPS insulation safe?
EPS is non-toxic, chemically inert, non-irritant and odourless making it entirely safe to use across all construction applications.
Which is better XPS or EPS?
In general, when comparing EPS and XPS board densities, the compressive strength of XPS is greater than that of EPS. For EPS to achieve the same compressive strength as XPS, the density of the foam would need to be increased, often resulting in a greater thickness of board being required.
Is XPS the same as EPS?
EPS (expanded) and XPS (extruded) are both closed-cell rigid insulation made from the same base polystyrene resins and manufactured differently, EPS is beads that are molded or cut into various sizes and shapes while XPS is extruded sheets.
How long does EPS insulation last?
EPS is a durable, rot proof and permanent material when specified and installed correctly. It will remain effective for the life of any application with no deficiency effects to be expected over a 100-year life cycle.
Is EPS a fire hazard?
The test results provide a clear indication that the use of rendered EPS (with fire retardant) in EIFS would result in rapid vertical fire spread and pool fires when exposed to a large fire source, such as from a window opening or an external fire source.
Does EPS absorb water?
A: EPS is non-hygroscopic and does not readily absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Its closed-cell structure reduces the absorption and/or migration of moisture into the insulation material.
Where is EPS insulation used?
Applications for EPS include:
- Cavity Wall Insulation (Bonded Bead for full fill and partial fill applications)
- Floor insulation.
- Insulated Foundation Systems.
- Attic and Roof Insulation.
- Pipe Insulation.
- External Wall Insulation.
Is polystyrene a fire hazard?
Polystyrene is highly flammable and ignites at relatively low temperatures. It has been linked with huge fires, often in commercial buildings and warehouses, where its use is more common.
Is EPS foam combustible?
FLAMMABILITY AND TOXICITY As with many other construction materials, EPS is flammable. In all cases, this is only relevant if EPS is evaluated as an exposed insulating material.
Do I need a vapor barrier with EPS?
A: No, although EPS has a low water vapor transmission rate, EPS is not a vapor barrier. Rather it “breathes”, and therefore does not require costly venting as do other insulation materials, which would otherwise trap moisture within walls and roof assemblies.
Is EPS highly flammable?
Although foam insulation is relatively difficult to ignite, in the case of ignition, burning will readily spread over the exposed surface of the EPS and it will continue to burn until all EPS is consumed.
Is EPS a fire risk?
The EPS hazard is twofold. Its core easily combusts and it allows fire to spread quickly and invisibly within the sandwich panel through walls and ceilings. Once a fire takes hold, the panels are at risk of delamination, spilling molten plastic which further transfers and propagates the fire.
Is EPS good for basement walls?
Two-inch extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) is typically used as one-inch foam is too fragile to place under a slab. Expanded foam (EPS) is a less expensive option, and considered better for the environment, but you would need to use high-density Type II EPS for this application.
What temp does EPS melt?
If EPS is exposed to temperatures above 212° F (100° C), it begins to soften, to contract and finally to melt. Whether or not these can be ignited by a flame or spark depends largely on the temperature, duration of exposure to heat and air flow around the material (the oxygen availability).
Does EPS need a vapor barrier?