What is styrene monomer and how is it used?
Styrene monomer is an industrial chemical derived from petroleum or natural gas by-products and which, under normal conditions, is a clear, colourless liquid. It has been synthetically produced for more than 70 years 鈥� in 2013 global demand was over 27 million tonnes - but it is also naturally occurring in a number of common foods.
Synthetic styrene is an important raw material for industry because it is the chemical 鈥榖uilding block鈥� for creating a multitude of versatile plastics and synthetic rubbers with beneficial properties including strength, durability, comfort, light weight, safety and energy efficiency. The key styrene derivatives include:
- Styrene monomer is typically converted or 鈥榩olymerised鈥� into pellets which can be heated, fused and moulded into plastic components.
- polystyrene (PS)
- expandable polystyrene (EPS)
- acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
- styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)
- unsaturated polyester resins
- styrene butadiene latices
As a result, nearly everyone encounters styrene-based products in some form every day. Materials made with styrene can be found in many familiar items including food and drink containers, packaging, rubber tyres, building insulation, carpet backing, computers and reinforced fiberglass composites such as boat hulls, surfboards and kitchen countertops.
The majority of styrene is used in the production of polystyrene for items such as medical devices, household appliances, drinks cups, food containers and refrigerator door liners.
Expandable polystyrene
Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is a derivative used to create a lightweight but rigid foam used in home insulation, as a protective packaging material, as padding inside bicycle and motorcycle helmets and car interiors, in road and bridge construction, and to build film-set scenery. Composite EPS products may also be used in bath and shower enclosures, automotive body panels, boats and wind turbines.
Styrene enables manufacturers to enhance components in a way that helps to: make cars and trains lighter and more fuel-efficient; reduce dependence on costly natural resources such as tropical hardwoods, marble, granite and natural rubber; and improve the energy efficiency of homes through more effective insulation.
Styrene - did you know.....
Many safety products including bicycle and motorcycle helmets and child car seats rely on styrene-based products for their lightweight, protective qualities.
