What’s The Difference Between EPP, EPE, EPS And EPO Foam?

First of all, EPP polypropylene plastic foam material is a kind of high crystalline polymer material with very good performance, which is environmentally friendly, pressure-resistant, buffering and heat-insulating material. EPP products have excellent shock resistance and energy absorption, high recovery rate after deformation, good heat resistance, chemical resistance, oil resistance and heat insulation. In addition, their light weight can greatly reduce the weight of items.

EPP applications are becoming more and more extensive. IT products, electronic communication equipment, liquid crystal displays, plasma color TVs, precision electronic components, precision instruments and meters have all begun to use EPP as packaging materials. Another particularly important field of application is a large number of applications in the automotive industry: car bumpers, car side shock cores, car door shock cores, advanced safety car seats, child safety seats, tool boxes, trunks, armrests, bottoms Backing plates, sun visors, instrument panels, etc. (According to statistics, the average plastic used in each car is 100~130kg, of which about 4~6kg of EPP plastic is used).

Speaking of EPE, it refers to foamed polyethylene, which is often referred to as pearl cotton. It is a new type of environmentally friendly packaging material. It is composed of a lot of independent bubbles produced by physical foaming of low-density polyethylene resin. It can be extruded or foamed, made into plates, sheets or pipes, and then punched, cut and bonded to form. It has good toughness, is not easy to break, and has good cushioning performance.

The most familiar EPS, polystyrene, is made by pre-expanding, curing, molding, drying and cutting. It can be made into different densities, different shapes of foam products, and can produce various thicknesses of foam boards. Widely used in construction, thermal insulation, packaging, refrigeration, daily necessities, industrial casting and other fields.

Finally, let's talk about EPO, a mixture of expanded polystyrene and polyethylene. It is a "copolymer" produced by a special polymerization process. Its composition and structure are relatively new. It consists of 30% polyethylene and 70% polystyrene. . The PE component is mainly distributed in the outer layer of the particles, which promotes plasticization and bonding between the particles, and the PS component is mainly distributed in the interior of the particles, which has a good supporting effect on the structure of the foam particles.

5 Differences Between Styrofoam Blocks & EPS Foam Blocks

In the realm of foam block construction, whether it’s used for insulation, roadways, landscaping or commercial buildings, the term “Styrofoam” is often used and misused when referring to expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam blocks. Styrofoam is actually a trademarked word under the Dow Chemical Company that technically refers to closed-cell, extruded polystyrene foam (think foam coffee cups, takeout containers and packing material). However, this extruded polystyrene is often mistakenly used when talking about expanded polystyrene foam which is similar yet different in many ways. If you refer to Styrofoam when you are actually looking for the construction project material known as expanded polystyrene foam blocks, you most definitely will not be getting what you pay for.

As the experts in EPS foam block construction, we’re here to set the record straight about extruded vs expanded polystyrene so you can be better informed as a consumer in the type of materials you invest in for your next project. Here are 5 differences between Styrofoam blocks and EPS foam blocks.

Extruded vs. Expanded Polystyrene

The major difference between Styrofoam and EPS foam blocks is that Styrofoam is made from extruded polystyrene (XPS) while EPS foam blocks are made of expanded polystyrene. So, what’s the actual difference between extruded and expanded? Both are polystyrene foam products made from polystyrene resins but they are manufactured into sheets and blocks very differently. For EPS foam blocks, the blowing agent that is used to form the final product leaves the polystyrene beads quickly which works to create thousands of tiny cells filled with air. The blowing agent used to make XPS or Styrofoam products stays embedded in the beads for long periods of time, thus preventing and reducing air flow through the material. This gives XPS foam a lower moisture absorption rating compared to EPS. To add, XPS is made using a continuous extrusion process that creates a closed-cell form while EPS is manufactured through an expansion process that molds spherical beads and uses heat and pressure to fuse the foam product together.

Physical Attributes

There are many differences in physical attributes of Styrofoam vs EPS foam blocks. For one, the color is different. You will often see original Styrofoam sheets in a blue color while EPS foam blocks start out as white, unless custom dyed. EPS foam is lightweight but has a high-density which makes it stronger and more durable than Styrofoam. Many will look to EPS as a go-to fill material thanks to its compressive strength and ability to withstand heavy loads over long periods of time. Its permeability rating is higher than Styrofoam, which makes it more optimal for water and mold resistance.

Environmental Impact

Recyclability is another major differentiating factor between EPS foam and Styrofoam. While Styrofoam is not recyclable, expanded polystyrene is extremely recyclable. It’s considered very green which bodes well with the ever-growing trend toward green construction. The expanded polystyrene is made up of organic elements which means it doesn’t contain toxic chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Last but not least, the blowing agents used to make EPS are exponentially less harmful to the environment than the ones used to manufacture Styrofoam.

Uses

When it comes to using Styrofoam or EPS foam blocks and sheets, EPS is the more ideal option for construction projects that call for durability and resistance against harsh external conditions. Its applications include soil stabilization, road banks, sheathing, below grade applications, insulation, tapered roof insulation, pools and landscaping.

Recycling for Post-consumer and Post-industrial Plastics on the Rise

Plastic foam materials are often used in many different daily life applications including packaging, logistics, construction, food and beverage packaging, and stationery applications.

These wide usages of plastic foams also bring the question of whether the foams are recyclable. The short answer is yes, most of the foams such as EPE, EPP, and EPS foams are technically recyclable.

What are the types of plastic foams that are recyclable?

Polymer-based foams are recyclable. The three foam types that are commonly used in production and recycled by foam recycling machines can be categorized as follows.

EPS foam

( EPS foam packaging buffer )

EPS foam (expanded polystyrene foam) is the foam version of polystyrene polymer, which is a white plastic foam primarily used for food and beverage packaging, shipping, stationery applications, etc. EPS foam or expanded polystyrene foam is also commonly known as Styrofoam. Styrofoam, indeed, is a trademarked name for a type of EPS. This foam material consists of rigid and lightweight structures and contains up to 95% of air.

PE foam (EPE)

Polyethylene foam, also known as expanded polyethylene (EPE) is a resilient, durable, odorless, and lightweight foam made of PE polymer. The main properties of PE foams can be mentioned as well insulation, vibration protection, and resistance to chemicals and moisture.

( Polyethylene foam rolls )

PE foams are often used for the packaging of fragile goods as well as for heavy goods, electronic products, tools, and machinery. We can also see PE foams in the applications such as floating pool noodles, floor underlays, shock absorbers, sports equipment, and so on.

PP foam (EPP)

( PP foam material )

Polypropylene foams, also known as expanded polypropylene (EPP) are famous for their rigid yet flexible structure, flexibility for low and high temperature, and moisture and chemical resistant characteristics. That makes PP foams very convenient to use in applications where durability and lower mass are needed. Therefore, we often see PP foams or EPP in cushioning, heavy-duty packaging, automotive components, thermal, and sound insulation applications.