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Expanded Polystrene Packing (EPS Packing)
 EPS (Expandable Polystyrene)is a petroleum byproduct and is a polymerised version of Styrene monomer. After Polymerisation, a blowing agent called pentene is added to make it expandable. EPS comes in various bead sizes and is spherical and almost transparent with approx density of 750-760 kg/m3. EPS is available in two grades, namely (a) Normal Grade (b) Self Extinguishing Grade(Fine Retardant Grade). It’s flash point is 70°c to 80°c and is expanded with the help of steam. After Expansion the air gets trapped in cells in between the expanded bead and it’s density gets reduced to 16-40 kg/m3(as required). The air gets trapped in the cells and hence it can not circulate. Due to these properties EPS becomes perfect cold insulating material and packaging material.
EPS PACKAGING MATERIAL
EPS is widely used as a packing material as it is a very good shock absorbant and is very cheap,and hence is almost insubstitutable. It’s application field is very wide and is used as a packing material in home appliances and other items such as T.V, COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, FAX MACHINE, WEIGHING SCALES, WASHING MACHINES, AIR CONDITIONERS, GEASERS, REFRIGERATORS, KITCHEN APPLIANCES, ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL GOODS, BONE CHINA CROCKERY, GLASS WARE, AUTO COMPONENTS, PATTERN MAKING, BATHROOM FITTINGS, VEHICLE GLASS AND VEHICLE LAMPS are the some few fields to name.AS EPS prevents the surface of the product from scratches,it is widely used in packing of above mentioned products. Front and rear wind screens of vehicles which are very sensitive to jerks are being packed in EPS.
EPS Loose Fills
 EPS loosefills are expanded beads of different sizes. These expanded beads(loosefills) are available in different sizes and has different applications. Some of them are mentioned below along with their sizes and applications.
- 0.5mm to 1.0mm – Pillows, Mattresses, Cushions etc. (This application uses fine grade expanded beads of approx density 25-75 kg/m3, these beads are filled in Pillows, Mattresses, Cushions instead of cotton or other material. It feels like water is filled in and gives a very relaxing and smooth feeling.
- 4mm to 6mm(density 8-10 kg/m3) - Packing of Gift Packs etc.(generally coloured loosefills are put along with Gift Packs in transparent film to give a decorative look.
- 6mm to 8mm(density 6-7 kg/m3) – Lazy Bean bags (This sized loosefill is used in lazy bean bags as shown in photograph/s.A person can sit on this lazy bean bag in any posture and the bean bag will take shape of that particular posture at that time,thus giving a very unique relaxing feeling.
- 10mm to 12mm(density 6-7 kg/m3) – Dyeing and Textile Units. (This sized loosefill along with some chemicals are used in Dyeing and Textile Units to fade the colour of the clothes (especially jeans) .This helps to give a glossy look to the clothes instead of very bright and rough look.
EPS Balls
 Dyeing and textile units. (The application is same to that of 10-12 mm sized loosefills but these 10-12mm sized loosefills are rarely available. So balls are made from moulds of sizes. 1.5 inch and 2.5 inch diameter.These balls have the density range of 18 kg/m3 to 50 kg/m3 depending upon the requirement.
EPS Insulation Sheets
EPS sheets of different sizes and densities are beibg used as insulation in Cold storages, bus bodies, refrigerated vans, portable cabins and roofs/walls of buildings. These EPS sheets helps maintaining lower temperatures in above mentioned applications.
EPS Blocks
 EPS blocks are cut into different sizes to produce EPS sheets. However these blocks are cut into different shapes and sizes to produce hand fabricated packings for smaller requirements.
EPS Pallets/Thermocole Pallets
Now a days rackable pallets are being manufactured with EPS and a PVC filmcoating on the surface. It is comparatively very light and hence very cheaper. It is widely used for export purpose where pallets are used just once for dispatch purpose only. Very big exporters are using these rackablepallets to export their products, saving a lot of money. As their orders are very big and the rackable pallets are not reused, there quantities are very huge.
EPS Pipe Section/Thermocole Pipe Section
EPS/Thermocole Pipe is also used for cold insulation of pipes carrying liquid/gas at very low temperatures thus maintaining the temperature of liquid/gas flowing in the pipe.
EPS Sandwitch Panels
EPS is also used in industries where temperature is very high or very low in form of sandwitch panels of height upto 40 -50 ft high.It helps maintain inside temperature of factory to working conditions. |
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