Polystyrene (PS) - Granule & Sheet - Material Information

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most widely used commodity thermoplastics, valued for its optical clarity, rigidity, and ease of molding. It is an amorphous polymer composed of styrene monomers (C?H?CH=CH?), characterized by a high glass transition temperature (~100 °C) and low water absorption. The material is inherently brittle but offers excellent dielectric and dimensional stability, making it suitable for electrical housings, laboratory ware, and optical applications.

Material Overview

Pure polystyrene, also known as crystal PS, is transparent and colorless, though impact-modified grades (e.g., high-impact polystyrene, HIPS) include rubbery phases that enhance toughness. The polymer’s amorphous structure accounts for its optical clarity and isotropic mechanical properties. Its density is approximately 1.05 g/cm³, with tensile strength ranging between 40–55 MPa and a modulus of elasticity around 3.0 GPa. The material exhibits good resistance to aqueous solutions but is attacked by organic solvents and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Recent studies have focused on improving PS’s mechanical and thermal performance through compositing and blending. Mujal-Rosas and Ramis-Juan (2013) demonstrated that reinforcing PS with ground tire rubber (GTR) enhanced dielectric strength and reduced brittleness, enabling low-cost electrical applications. Jiang (2022) reviewed toughening mechanisms for PS composites, showing that adding nanoscale fillers or rubber particles increases impact strength by up to 150%. More recent work by Kreutz et al. (2021) revealed that incorporating 4% medium-density fiberboard residue improves PS thermal stability and slows UV-induced degradation, expanding its potential for sustainable composites.

Applications and Advantages

Polystyrene’s balance of clarity, rigidity, and processability makes it suitable for use in packaging, displays, laboratory equipment, and consumer electronics. Its excellent dielectric strength supports applications in capacitors and insulating components. The material’s low moisture uptake and ease of thermoforming enable complex geometries for architectural models and scientific instruments. Modified PS blends—such as those containing elastomeric or bio-based fillers—extend its usability into impact-resistant and environmentally friendly formulations.

Goodfellow Availability

Goodfellow offers Polystyrene in granule and sheet forms, with customizable thickness, optical grade, and impact resistance. Each grade meets strict purity and consistency requirements suitable for research and production applications. Explore Polystyrene and other thermoplastic polymers through the Goodfellow product finder.

References

• Mujal-Rosas, R., & Ramis-Juan, X. (2013). Electrical application of polystyrene reinforced with old tire rubber: dielectric, thermal, and mechanical properties. Science and Engineering of Composite Materials, 20(3). https://doi.org/10.1515/SECM-2012-0131
• Jiang, Y. (2022). Polystyrene-based composites and their toughening mechanisms. In Advanced Polymer Materials. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429330575-2
• Kreutz, J. C., de Souza, P. R., Benetti, V. P., Freitas, A. R., Bittencourt, P. R. S., & Gaffo, L. (2021). Mechanical and thermal properties of polystyrene and medium density fiberboard composites. Polímeros: Ciência e Tecnologia, 31(3). https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.07120
• Rajan, C. S., Varghese, L. A., Joseph, S., & George, S. C. (2021). Mechanical, thermal and morphological characterization of PP/PS/HDPE ternary polymer blend. IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng., 1114, 012078. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1114/1/012078