High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a versatile, economical and impact-resistant plastic that is easy to machine and fabricate. Impact Polystyrene is often specified for low strength structural applications when impact resistance, machinability, and low cost are required. It is frequently used machining pre-production prototypes since it has excellent dimensional stability and is easy to fabricate paint and glue.
Common Uses:
- Consumer products: Appliance components, toy, TV and audio-visual equipment parts, recording tape cassettes, bicycle trailer, toys
- Automotive industry: Instrument panels and fittings, gasoline tanks
- Food Services: Hot and cold drinking cups
- Office Products: Computer Housings
Physical Properties:
- Specific Gravity – 1.04g/cm
- Tensile Strength – 3130 psi
- Flexural Strength – 4620 psi
- Impact Strength – 2.20ft.-lb/in
General Properties:
- Maintains strength in high-impact applications
- Can be painted
- Recyclable with good property retention
- Easily moldable
- FDA compliant grades
- Good dimensional stability
- Good gloss
- Low volatility
Processing:
- Injection Molding
- Extrusion
Grades MFR Application Typical Application
7026 2.4 Extrusion sheets, disposable dishware, electronic packaging, air ducting for car heater, TV and tape recorder equipment
4035 3.3 Extrusion/Injection Refrigerator liners, refrigerator door paneling, sheet extrusion applications and for injection modules
6045 4 Extrusion/Injection housewares, Food packaging a beverage cups, packaging for dairy products, disposable dishware, toys
7055 4.5 Extrusion Refrigerator liners, packaging for oily foods and dairy products, sheet extrusion applications
5073 7 Extrusion/Injection Food containers, Sheets, Housewares
4125 12 Extrusion/Injection Housewares, Toys an food containers
3163 16 Injection Printers and copies, ventilators, TV back covers, Office machines, monitor