소소한 일상/공학 이야기

[Material] Comparison of EPP and EPS Foam

수학자 지망생 2022. 11. 7. 13:50

EPP and EPS (Styrofoam) are similar in appearance, and PU is similar to sponge.

When comparing EPP and EPS, the overall physical properties and mechanical performance are considered to be superior to EPP, EPS has a unit price advantage. In particular, EPP is widely used in the automobile industry because of its dimensional stability and thin-thickness molding.

Since the mechanical properties differ by more than 10 times depending on the foaming rate, You must check the physical properties with the manufacturer for each foaming rate, and there are slight differences between manufacturers.
For EPS, the recovery rate after compression is relatively low compared to EPP.

Material EPS EPP PU
Full name Expanded Polystyrene Expanded Polypropylene Polyurethane
Mechanical strength Weak Strong Strong
Elongation   38~40%  
heat resistance
temperature
80℃ 100℃ 120℃
foaming method Pentane, butane gas used Pysical foaming  
Price Low($0.35 / liter) Middle($0.4 / liter) High
flexibility slightly hard hard Soft
Flammability - - HB
Where to use packaging material car bumper, helmet Automotive, industrial

Recently, a Japanese company(Mitsubishi) has developed foamed mPPE, It has excellent mechanical performance and dimensional stability compared to EPP with flame retardant V0 grade.