Its Health House Indoor Air Quality guidelines recognize EPS geofoam as a safe material for insulation and structural support in construction projects. Building and Construction Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an innovative building material that lends to the design and structural integrity of many building projects. Finally, the material is released from the mold and stored until dry. Because of that, it offers more R-value per dollar than other similar products. High compressive strengths of up to 60 psi make EPS durable and long-lasting and able to stand up to harsh conditions without deterioration. In 1965, the first expanded polystyrene (EPS) block molding plant was established in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It also has the highest average R-value per dollar compared to other rigid foam insulation materials. Expanded polystyrene is a versatile material with numerous applications within the construction and engineering industries. It is extraordinarily light and buoyant, and a good insulator against heat and sound. The R-value of EPS geofoam insulation remains constant because the closed-cell structure of EPS geofoam contains only stabilized air. Up to 10% of recycled EPS geofoam can be used in the manufacturing process. All rights reserved. These building panels are often used both as load bearing also as non-load … It manufactured blocks measuring from 0.6 m to 4.9 m (2 ft to 16 ft) in thickness, but … One pound of EPS geofoam will support 3.5 pounds per square inch while retaining 1% or less deformation. It is among the few insulating materials with a … Plus, EPS foam insulation can be fabricated to size or cut into any configuration to fit a specific project’s needs. Durability. In recent years, there has been an explosive growth of interest in the application of expanded polystyrene (EPS) for construction industry. EPS is … Because a molding process is used to produce EPS foam, there are more sizes available to select from, compared to XPS foam board which comes in limited sheet sizes. Plus, the product itself doesn’t emit any greenhouse gases. Dimensional stability. EPS insulation has a typical R-value of 3.85 per inch at a mean temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a typical R-value of 4.17 per inch at a mean temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The perm rating for EPS insulation is 5.0, making it a Class III permeable vapor retarder. EPS (expanded polystyrene) is an excellent material for packaging and for construction as it is a light yet rigid foam with good thermal insulation and high impact resistance. A permeance or “perm” rating is a standard measure of the water vapor permeability of a material. It is this closed cellular construction that gives EPS its remarkable characteristics. After 15 years, both EPS and XPS were removed and tested using the ASTM C1512 test (Standard Test Method for Characterizing the Effect of Exposure to Environmental Cycling on Thermal Performance of Insulation Products). Since EPS geofoam is a thermoplastic material, it will not rot or decompose over time. During this phase, recycled EPS material is mixed with the prepuffs and is also fused into the material. EPS geofoam’s strength is even more amazing considering it is so lightweight. It is dependent upon the thickness and density of the building material. It uses no harmful greenhouse gases in the manufacturing process — pentane, a hydrocarbon solvent which doesn’t affect the ozone layer — is most often used as the blowing agent. Expanded Polystyrene and Road Construction. It is extremely lightweight, but strong and durable. Since EPS geofoam is a thermoplastic material, it will not rot or decompose over time. EPS geofoam is free from dyes, formaldehyde, chloroflure carbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorcarbons (HCFCs). EPS geofoam also has the seal of approval from the American Lung Association. Expanded polystyrene, or EPS geofoam, is a cost-efficient insulation material used in the construction industry. A closer look at: Expanded Polystyrene Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) has become known for its role in smaller combustible cladding fires over the last 20 years due to its very flammable composition. EPS geofoam weighs in at only one to two pounds per cubic foot, depending on size. Moisture promotes the growth of many organisms such as mold, mildew, fungi and other bacteria. There are two reasons why Molygran can provide construction and engineering solutions. Higher densities of EPS geofoam have a greater comprehensive strength than lower densities. Because of that, it offers more R-value per dollar than other similar products. Since the 1950s, EPS has been … It has an incredibly long lifespan – up to 50 years. During the storage phase, which may last as little as a few hours to up to three days, the prepuffs are left in the silos until they reach the desired temperature. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EPS foam board provides up to two times more thermal resistance than most other insulating materials of the same thickness. EPS geofoam is manufactured from polystyrene resin beads via a process called polymerization. Getting the maximum performance for the dollar is paramount in the competitive arena of the construction industry. Steam is injected into the molds through tiny slots, to begin the fusion process. EPS geofoam qualifies for Energy Star status, a symbol backed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that signifies the product not only helps businesses/people save money but its energy-efficient properties helps protect the climate. The drying potential for thermal insulation is critical to maintaining the structure’s thermal resistance. EPS is one of the few rigid foam insulations with a stable thermal resistance throughout its life. A versatile building material, it works well for a variety of different applications such as road construction, bridge abutments, slope stabilization, building foundations, retaining walls, stadium and theatre seating, fill for underground utilities and landscaping and insulation for both above- and below-grade applications. Therefore, it is considered to be a fairly chemically inert material. EPS geofoam is resistant to most acids, bases and aqueous solutions of salts and alkalis. The Eps stand for Expanded Polystyrene.This is a modern, efficient, safe and economic construction system of buildings. Cost. It can be reused for many different applications or shredded and re-ground and added to the prepuff to be used in the manufacturing process for new EPS geofoam. Moisture promotes the growth of many organisms such as mold, mildew, fungi and other bacteria. The manufacturing process for EPS conventionally begins with the creation of small polystyrene … A material’s ability to not only resist moisture but to readily release any moisture it does absorb, referred to as “drying potential,” is also an important factor to consider in an insulation material. San Diego, CA 92123, Distributor of Expanded Polystyrene block for use in construction applications throughout the world, All Rights Reserved - Geofoam International LLC |, Expanded polystyrene, or EPS geofoam, is a cost-efficient insulation material used in the construction industry. You have probably noticed the roadworks as well as the famous orange cone areas lately. It is used for the … Any polystyrene … And since EPS geofoam is a manufactured product, every time you use it in a project instead of a natural product, you are helping to sustain the environment. No gases are included. Using EPS Geofoam in Retaining Wall Construction, Using EPS Geofoam to Reduce Weight in Utilities. Like … The long-term performance advantages of EPS insulation correlate directly to increased energy efficiency and reduced energy costs over the life of the building. Buildings insulated with EPS geofoam insulation are more economical to maintain over the years. It is usually white and made of pre-expanded polystyrene beads. Often used for insulation since the 1950s, you'll find it in walls, floors and roofs to help maintain the temperature of the building. Moreover, a study commissioned by the EPS Molders Association found that the R-value of EPS geofoam does not decrease with age, even under freeze-thaw conditions, whereas other insulation materials can lose R-value over time. EPS geofoam’s strength is even more amazing considering it is so lightweight. Size and density. EPS geofoam is one of the most environmentally responsible building materials you can specify in your construction project. The maximum dimensional change of EPS foam should be less than 2%, which makes EPS foam in compliance with ASTM Test Method D2126. Building and construction applications account for around two-thirds of demand for expanded polystyrene. The simplest recycling involves crumbling the old EPS into small pieces and remolding them into usable shapes. EPS exhibits a higher R-value over moist-dry cycles, most often seen in below-grade applications, outperforming XPS insulation and providing a long-term R-value to the project. Published on August 1, 2018 January 9, 2019. EPS is also used in the construction industr… For example, in a side-by-side test of EPS and its “cousin,” XPS, or extruded polystyrene, both insulations were used below-grade on a building foundation. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a lightweight cellular plastic material consisting of small hollow spherical balls. Getting the maximum performance for the dollar is paramount in the competitive arena of the construction industry. EPS is an inert material that does not rot and provides no nutritional benefits to vermin therefore does not attract pests such as rats or termites. Ability to inhibit growth of biological air contaminants. First, the resin beads are fed into a vertical tank containing an agitator and a controlled steam input. Copyright 2012 © EPS Industry Alliance. Light Weight Comprised of about 98 percent air, expanded polystyrene … The compressive resistance of EPS geofoam at 1% deformation ranges from 2.2 psi to 18.6 psi. It is extremely lightweight, but strong and durable. But that rating may be misleading. Density is a significant driver of cost —the denser the material, the more expensive the cost. EPS geofoam is water resistant and can inhibit the growth of these organisms. Because a molding process is used to produce EPS foam, there are more sizes available to select from, compared to XPS foam board which comes in limited sheet sizes. It is unique in that it is a closed cell, rigid, polymeric material that is … Issues, such as the construction of pavements on low bearing capacity subgrade soils (such as peats and clays), or in regions with severe winters, and the construction … EPS foam offers exceptional dimensional stability. Did you know that lightweight embankment blocks made from expanded polystyrene are sometimes used in the construction … High compressive strengths of up to 60 psi make EPS durable and long-lasting and able to stand up to harsh conditions without deterioration. Expanded Polystyrene Used in Bridge Construction EPS products, including flute fillers, Terraflex Elasticized Polystyrene, and EPS Geofoam are used in road and bridge construction throughout the … The higher the R-value, the greater the material’s ability to resist conductive heat transfer and the better the material’s performance as an insulating material. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an innovative building material that lends to the design and structural integrity of many building projects. Compressive strength. It is also resistant to microorganisms in the soil. This stage determines the final density of the material by controlling the length of time the beads remain in the expander and/or the pressure in the expander. The use of expanded polystyrene in construction has lot of advantages compare with the use of conventional materials which results in sustainable future. Since the 1950s, EPS has been recognized as a mainstream insulation material, however over the past decade, new applications have rapidly developed. Expanded polystyrene has many uses in construction jobs. The conversion of expandable polystyrene to expanded polystyrene is carried out in three stages: Pre-expansion, Maturing/Stabilization and Molding Polystyrene is produced from the crude oil refinery product styrene. Polystyrene can also be used as part of temporary shuttering to create shaped concrete to match any existing or new building designs. The polystyrene can be added to the wooden shuttering before pouring, Once the concrete has dried the polystyrene … And, far more energy is saved over the lifetime of a building insulated with EPS foam board than is used during the manufacturing process for producing the product. 9325 Sky Park Court, Suite 250 Ability to inhibit growth of biological air contaminants. Standard-sized EPS foam insulation is available in multiple sizes up to 36-inches thick and 16-feet long or larger. Standard-sized EPS foam insulation is available in multiple sizes up to 36-inches thick and 16-feet long or larger. And, far more energy is saved over the lifetime of a building insulated with EPS foam board than is used during the manufacturing process for producing the product. And, it isn’t attractive to rats and other vermin as a source of food. With a wide range of compressive resistance strengths to choose from, it’s easy to find a solution for most every project. At about $0.31 per square foot for a one-inch thick panel, EPS geofoam costs less per square foot than any other rigid foam board insulation product. Resistance to moisture absorption is important because water is an excellent conductor of heat. However, many organic solvents such as acetone, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents can attack the foam and cause it to dissolve. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) has offered solutions to many civil engineering problems associated with pavement construction. In fact, several different types of EPS geofoam can be specified on a single project to maximize savings. This publication aims to provide balanced information based on the manufacture, use and recovery from waste of EPS in the packaging and construction … EPS geofoam is 100% recyclable and can be reheated and reformed indefinitely. Most common foam products, like coolers, wine shippers, molded end caps and corners, box packaging and even cups at the office water cooler are actually polystyrene foam. In the next phase, the prepuffs are poured into molds to obtain the size of material specified. EPS geofoam comes in a wide variety of densities, with the most common ones ranging from .75 pounds per cubic foot (PCF) to 3 PCF. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) can also be made out of recycled polystyrene. Therefore, it is considered to be a fairly chemically inert material. 1.2 ABOUT EXPANDED POLYSTRENE Expanded Polystyrene … Lightweight expanded polystyrene (EPS) is an ideal material for pre-fabricated building … EPS geofoam is 98% to 99% air by volume. EPS geofoam is resistant to most acids, bases and aqueous solutions of salts and alkalis. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and light weight insulation material with various properties such as shock absorption, resistance to humidity, resistance to compression, retention to vitamin C, hygienic, … Elasticized Polystyrene Used in Bridge Construction Elasticized polystyrene has been used, and has proven its effectiveness, in bridge construction for over 20 years in the colder areas of the United … This means buildings will be cooler during the hot, summer months and warmer during the cold winter months, while reducing the building’s overall energy consumption. The perm rating may not be indicative of the long-term results. Firstly, expanded polystyrene has qualities essential to engineering and construction … However, many organic solvents such as acetone, chlorinated solvents and aromatic hydrocarbon solvents can attack the foam and cause it to dissolve. road construction, bridge abutments, slope stabilization, building foundations, retaining walls, stadium and theatre seating, fill for underground utilities and landscaping and insulation for both above- and below-grade applications. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and tough, closed-cell foam with a normal density range of 11 to 32 kg/m 3. Now, EPS is a powerful design element and an ideal choice for green building design, offering tangible environmental advantages that can maximize energy efficiency, providing improved indoor environmental quality and enhancing durability. By controlling the amounts of heat and pressure applied, EPS geofoam can be created in a variety of densities. Unlike the R-value, in which the higher the number, the better, a material with a lower perm rating is better at retarding movement of water vapor. In the second phase, the expanded beads, called prepuffs, are dried in the open air for several hours and then, in the third phase, they are transferred to large storage silos. EPS foam offers exceptional dimensional stability. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a rigid and tough, closed-cell foam. It is also resistant to microorganisms in the soil. Since EPS geofoam isn’t biodegradable, it won’t leach into the ground over time, adversely affecting soil and groundwater quality. EPS geofoam weighs in at only one to two pounds per cubic foot, depending on size. Pentane, a hydrocarbon solvent, is typically used as the blowing agent during the manufacturing process. The maximum dimensional change of EPS foam should be less than 2%, which makes EPS foam in compliance with ASTM Test Method D2126. Energy efficiency. It’s lightweight, meaning products … The air pockets that are formed during the manufacturing process make it a great thermal insulator. Chemical inertness. EPS geofoam is manufactured using primarily steam, and even the water from the manufacturing process is collected and reused. … However, expanded polystyrene is being used for new tasks on the construction … For example, the cost of using a higher strength insulation than the specs call for, say a 100 psi XPS product versus a 40 psi EPS product, can almost double your material costs. After a drying time of 30 days, the moisture level of the EPS insulation dropped to 0.7% versus 15.7% for the XPS insulation. Expanded polystyrene is a plastic foam material that has certain desirable properties because of its structure. EPS is used widely in the building and construction industry. For manufacturing expanded polystyrene, … One pound of EPS geofoam will support 3.5 pounds per square inch while retaining 1% or less deformation. 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