Comparison

EPS Packaging vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of Expanded Polystyrene for Packaging and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Property

EPS Packaging

ABS

Physical

Density

0.015-0.06 g/cm³ (foam)

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

<1 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Opaque

Shrinkage

N/A (foam)

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

Highly variable (foam)

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

Highly variable (foam)

40 – 50 MPa

Elongation at Break

Highly variable (foam)

10 – 50 %

Impact Strength (Izod)

Excellent cushioning

200 – 400 J/m

Flexural Strength

—

60 – 80 MPa

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature

90-100 °C (solid PS)

105 °C

Melting Point

N/A (amorphous)

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Continuous Service Temperature

70-80 °C

70 – 90 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

N/A (foam)

85 – 100 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

—

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

Around 1.1 (foam)

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

>10¹³ Ω⋅cm (foam)

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

High (foam)

15 – 20 kV/mm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Chemical resistance

Acids

Good resistance

—

Bases

Good resistance

Good

Solvents

Attacked by aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ketones

—

UV Resistance

Poor

Poor (unless stabilized)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Alcohols

—

Good

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Gasoline

—

Poor

Acetone

—

Attacks / dissolves

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable (challenging collection)

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

6 (PS)

7 (Other)

Carbon Footprint

Moderate

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg

Bio-based Content

—

0 %