Commodity Plastics
XPS Insulation — Extruded Polystyrene Foam for Insulation
XPS foam is produced by extruding polystyrene with additives, creating a closed-cell structure that results in high compressive strength, low water absorption, and excellent thermal insulation. It is widely used in building and construction for foundation, wall, and roof insulation.
XPSStyrofoam (some grades)XPS Insulation
Manufacturers
3
Grades
3
Applications
4
Equivalents
2
Physical Properties
- Density
- 0.03-0.04 g/cm³ (foam)
- Water Absorption (24h)
- <0.5 %
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Shrinkage
- N/A (foam)
Mechanical Properties
- Young's Modulus
- Highly variable (foam)
- Tensile Strength
- Highly variable (foam)
- Elongation at Break
- Highly variable (foam)
- Impact Strength (Izod)
- Good compressive strength
Thermal Properties
- Glass Transition Temperature
- 90-100 °C (solid PS)
- Melting Point
- N/A (amorphous)
- Continuous Service Temperature
- 70-78 °C
- Heat Deflection Temperature
- N/A (foam)
Electrical Properties
- Dielectric Constant
- Around 1.1 (foam)
- Volume Resistivity
- >10¹³ Ω⋅cm (foam)
- Dielectric Strength
- High (foam)
Chemical Resistance
- Acids
- Good resistance
- Bases
- Good resistance
- Solvents
- Attacked by aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, ketones
- UV Resistance
- Poor
Sustainability
- Recyclability
- Recyclable (challenging collection)
- Recycling Code
- 6 (PS)
- Carbon Footprint
- Moderate
Manufacturing compatibility
ExtrusionFoaming
Applications
Building insulation
Roof insulation
Foundation insulation
Model making
Available grades
XPS 300XPS 500XPS 15