Styrene (HIPS) Technical Data and Information
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Product range:
City Plastics carry a variety of standard sheet sizes and thicknesses, with
an option of custom made sizes and colours available, which are subject to
minimum order quantities.
Ex stock colours include black and whites in the standard finish of high
gloss one side and matt the other. Special colours, surface finishes and UV
additives are available, which are subject to a minimum order quantity.
Product features:
Excellent thermoforming characteristics, good impact strength, approved -
food safe, good rigidity and low temperature toughness, excellent
printability.
Typical applications:
Graphic arts, signs, packaging, cutlery trays, take away food containers,
margarine tubs, cups and lids, point of sale displays.
Fabrication:
Cutting & Guillotining: A circular saw blade with carbide teeth
utilising the triple chip tooth design is preferred for thicker gauges.
Laser cutting and routing are also successful. Other suitable methods for
cutting Styrene sheet include guillotining and punching. Guillotining
produces straight-edged cuts, while blanking dies and punches can produce a
wide variety of shapes.
Drilling: For drilling, use conventional drill bits with the standard drill
angles and a negative rake.
Forming: High impact polystyrene can be thermoformed using typical strip
heating and vacuum forming equipment. No pre drying of the material is
required.
Decorating: High impact polystyrene can be screen-printed using inks
specifically formulated for HIPS. Vinyl graphics can also be applied using
typical application methods.
Cementing: High impact polystyrene can be successfully bonded using Weldon 3
and 16.
Typical properties of HIPS
ASTM test |
Property |
Value |
Physical |
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| D792 | Specific gravity | 1.05 |
| D1238 | Melt flow index | 4(200°C) |
| D570 | Water absorption, 24 hours, 3.0 mm thick (%) | 0.1 |
| °C | Maximum service temp | +70 |
| °C | Minimum service temp | -50 |
Mechanical |
||
| D638 | Tensile strength at yield N/mm2 | 30 |
| D638 | Elongation at yield(%) | 3 |
| D638 | Tensile strength at break N/mm2 | 35 |
| D638 | Elongation at break(%) | 40 |
| Impact strength mj/mm2 | no break | |
| D256 | Notched impact strength mj/mm2 | 8 |
| Ball indentation hardness N/mm2 | 80 | |
| D790 | Flexural strength N/mm2 | 52 |
| D638 | Modulus of elasticity N/mm2 | 2100 |
Thermal |
||
| C177 | Thermal conductivity at 20°C | 0.17 |
| D696 | Coefficient of thermal expansion K-1.10-4 | 0.9 |
| D648 | Deflection temperature °C | 89 |
| D1525 | Vicat softening temperature °C | 89 |
Electrical |
||
| D257 | Volume resistivity (ohm-cm) | 10.16 |
| D257 | Surface resistancy ohm | 10.13 |
| D150 | Dielectric constant At 1kHz | 2.5 |
| D150 | Dissipation loss factor At 1kHz | 0.0001 |
Fabrication |
||
| Welding temperature °C | 220 | |
| Forming temperature °C | 150 | |
These values are representative of those obtained under standard ASTM conditions and should not be used to design parts which function under different conditions.
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Download HIPS MSDS