PS

PS stands for polystyrene and is an amorphous, transparent thermoplastic belonging to the commodity plastics family. This polymer is produced through polymerisation of the styrene monomer, and is commonly used across many industries.

Polystyrene is a rigid material with a hard surface. It is a polymer with good electrical insulating properties and very low moisture absorption. However, the plastic has very low resistance to ultraviolet radiation (UV), and is therefore better suited to indoor environments.

Polystyrene is a fairly brittle material and it is common to modify polystyrene with butadiene rubber to produce HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), obtaining a material with better impact toughness — but at the expense of transparency.

Polystyrene is a suitable material for many different applications. Examples of use include manufacturing food packaging and disposable items such as plastic cutlery or cups.

Main properties:

  • Low price
  • Low moisture absorption
  • Crystal-clear material (GPPS)
  • High surface hardness
  • Good electrical insulating capacity
  • Glass transition temperature of 100 degrees


    • Some less good properties:

  • Poor chemical resistance
  • Poor weather and UV resistance
  • Susceptible to crack formation
  • Flammable

    • Materials in PS

    Materials we distribute within the PS family, along with their supplier and the industries where they are used.
    Material Supplier Industry
    SYNTHOS GPPS & HIPS Synthos Group S.A. Industry, Household
    SYNTHOS GPPS & HIPS SYNTHOS GROUP S.A. Industry, Household