Polystyrene
Expanded polystyrene is produced in both packaging and building grades.The material comprises expanded beads of polystyrene fused together in a steam‑heated mould under pressure. This produces either a block, which can then be cut to size and/or shape and fabricated. Alternatively, the beads may be moulded into a purpose designed mould which will need no further processing.
For building and insulation applications materials are produced to BS EN13163 'Thermal insulation products for buildings ‑ Factory made products of expanded polystyrene (EPS) ‑ specification'. A number of specialised grades are produced for packaging varying in weight, bead density and size.
You can see the versatility of the material by its uses:
Applications
Packaging - typical uses are pads, boxes, lids, corners, edge protectors, end caps, channels, spheres, wedges, discs and tailor made packaging.
Insulation - Sheets for flooring, cavity pads, profiles for roofing, profiles for underfloor heating systems, insulated packaging, profiles for extruded aluminium building structures, pipe and tube insulation
Display - letters, logos, props, exhibits
Void Formers - used in building work or in packaging
Bean bags - used for casual seating
All these materials can be supplied in small to large quantities and in standard sizes or made to your requirements.