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What is the difference between EPS fire resistance levels A, B, and B1?

by Manufacturers, Producers, Suppliers Apr 15, 2023

The difference between EPS fire resistance grades A, B, and B1:

Fire resistance coefficient: Class A is non combustible; Level B is further divided into three levels, with B1, B2, and B3 having different levels of combustion.
Flammability: Class A has zero flammability;, B1 is flame retardant, B2 is flammable, and B3 is flammable.
At present, the common A-grade products in the market include phenolic aldehyde, rock wool, insulation mortar, foam ceramics, foam glass, and foam concrete. At present, the most advantageous A-grade material is foamed concrete, also known as foamed cement.
EPS polystyrene board itself is a flammable material, so it is not a fireproof material in terms of fire rating. So it’s not at all A-level or B1 level. The fire resistance rating of polystyrene boards on the market is only B2 (flammable) and B3 (flammable).
Extended Information:
EPS physical and mechanical properties:
Density
The density of EPS is determined by the expansion ratio of polystyrene particles during the forming stage, which is generally between 10 and 45kg/m3. As EPS used in engineering, its apparent density is generally between 15 and 30kg/m3.
At present, the density of EPS used as lightweight filling material in road engineering is 20kg/m3, which is 1% to 2% of that of ordinary road filling material. Density is an important indicator of EPS, and its mechanical properties are almost directly proportional to its density.
Deformation characteristics
When the confining pressure exceeds 60KPa, the yield strength significantly decreases, which is clearly different from the variation law of the soil. When axial strain ε When a ≤ 5%, regardless of the confining pressure, the volumetric strain ε V is close to axial strain ε a. The lateral deformation of EPS is small, which means the Poisson’s ratio is small.
To minimize post construction settlement, after laying the EPS material layer, fill 1.2m of soil on it for preloading. The average compressive settlement of the EPS material layer is 32mm, and it can be calculated that the elastic modulus of EPS is 2.4MPa, and the EPS material is still in the elastic deformation stage.
Self-reliance
The self-sustaining nature of EPS is very beneficial for the stability of high slopes. Due to the small lateral pressure generated by the vertical compression of EPS, the use of EPS as filling material for the roadbed at the bridge head can greatly reduce the soil pressure behind the abutment, which is very beneficial for the stability of the abutment.
The friction coefficient f between EPS block and sand is 0.58 (dense)~0.46 (loose) for dry sand and 0.52 (dense)~0.25 (loose) for wet sand; The range of f between EPS blocks is between 0.6 and 0.7.
Water and temperature characteristics
The closed cavity structure of EPS determines its good insulation performance. Its biggest characteristic when used as insulation material is its extremely low thermal conductivity, with various specifications of EPS boards having thermal conductivity ranging from 0.024W/m.K to 0.041W/m.K. EPS is a thermoplastic resin that should be used below 70 ℃ to avoid thermal deformation and strength reduction.
Simultaneously utilizing this feature, electric heating wire processing can be used. Flame retardants can be added in production to form flame retardant EPS. Flame retardant EPS extinguishes itself within 3 seconds after leaving the ignition source. Due to the much lower bulk density of EPS compared to soil, the 1% to 10% increase in bulk density caused by water absorption can have negligible impact on engineering.
Durability
EPS has stable chemical properties in water and soil, and cannot be decomposed by microorganisms; The cavity structure of EPS also makes water infiltration extremely slow; If exposed to ultraviolet radiation for a long time, the surface of EPS will change from white to yellow, and the material will appear brittle to some extent; EPS has stable properties in most solvents, but can be dissolved in organic solvents such as gasoline, diesel, kerosene, toluene, acetone, etc. This indicates that EPS fillers require a good protective layer.

Reference Source: JUNYUAN PETROLEUM GROUP – EPS Blowing Agent Department (Folystyrene Foam)

Expandable polystyrene (EPS)

Revolutionary patented polystyrene production method

Expandable polystyrene (EPS) consists of polystyrene micro-pellets or beads containing a blowing agent and other additives for foaming. We have developed a continuous production process in which the blowing agent is directly injected into the melt, combined with subsequent underwater pelletization.

Commercial EPS is manufactured with the addition of a blowing agent, typically a chlorinated hydrocarbon or a low-boiling petroleum-derived agent with the presence of pentane. These substances are highly flammable; by reducing the amount of flame retardant due to the addition of gypsum, they ignited during the flame propagation test, increasing the burn rate of the GPS.

Main benefits

The patented EPS process is economical, compact, and easy to operate
Continuous process for consistent product quality
Dispersing a wide range of additives and pigments is possible
Minimized waste production
Reduction of wastewater and process water
Recycling possibility for waste EPS pellets/beads/foam
Process allows developing innovative applications

Main applications

Expandable Polystyrene

EPS Panel

The self-extinguishing, fire-retardant EPS Panel foam is manufactured from 100% virgin bead and oven-cured after manufacture to ensure the resulting blocks are completely dry and free from all residual pentane.

EPS Panel is a lightweight, CFC-free, non-brittle, closed cell insulator with more consistent thermal performance over time. It has a high dimensional stability and low water vapor transmission.

A special chemical coated to the Expanded Polystyrene beads (raw material) distinguished it from standard/common EPS Panel. Fire-Retardant EPS Panel is a self-extinguishing, non-combustible material.

Fire-retardant EPS Panel with a density of 15 kg/m3 is used for clean rooms, food processing facilities and modular buildings, while the 20 kg/m3 is used for industrial and commercial cold storage.

Core

Width (cover mm)
Thickness (mm)
Length
Exterior Facing Skin
Internal Facing Skin
Standard Colors
Joint System
Finishes
Type of SkinEPS
(Expanded Polystyrene)
1,160
50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250
Up to 12 meters
0.5mm, 0.6mm G300 CRP Steel
0.5mm, 0.6mm G300 CRP Steel
Off White
Slip Joint
Plain, Ribbed, Diamond
Anti Bacterial (AB)
Food Grade (FG)
Xterior Roof and Wall (XRW)

Features and Advantages

Fire retardant
Meets safety requirements
Energy saving
Longer lifetime
Resistant to termites and rodents
Customized design
Easy to install saving cost of installation time
High performance on insulated panel

Expandable Polystyrene

Pentane is the most common expansion agent in EPS production

by Manufacturers, Producers, Suppliers Sep 1, 2022

Basic knowledge of expandable polystyrene (EPS)

Expandable polystyrene (EPS) is produced in a suspension process by adding a blowing agent, usually pentane, which causes resin to foam during moulding. The process may be performed as a single step or a two step process. The two step process passes the blowing agent though the polystyrene beads during, or after, polymerisation. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is produced from a mixture of about 90-95% polystyrene and 5-10% gaseous blowing agent, most commonly pentane. The solid plastic is expanded using steam and is injected in to an aluminum tool under high pressure. Whether white or coloured, EPS starts life the size of a grain of salt. Polystyrene is produced from the crude oil refinery product styrene. For manufacturing expanded polystyrene, the polystyrene beads are impregnated with the foaming agent pentane. Polystyrene granulate is prefoamed at temperatures above 90°C.

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a light polymer made of the following materials:

Styrene – forming honeycomb structure
Pentane – used as blowing agent

Styrene and pentane are both hydrocarbons obtained from oil and natural gas by-products. EPS is composed of 98% air. Styrene, together with pentane, water and other chemicals, is converted into tiny EPS (expandable polystyrene) beads through a mixing reactor. The beads are then dried, sieved and finally coated.

In 1950, BASF developed EPS, which was widely used in the construction field because of its excellent thermal insulation performance. Later, it was widely used in packaging because of its strong impact resistance.

EPS raw material beads have been mixed with blowing agent when they are produced, generally 4-7% pentane. High temperature steam foaming molding is used in the mold, and up to 98% of the finished products are air. The beads can be divided into flame retardant and non flame retardant, and can also be divided into large, medium and small according to the radius.

Production process: pre foaming → curing → molding
Pre foaming: use 80-100 ℃ steam to heat the raw material to increase the bead size by 40-50 times.
Ripening: the prepared beads are dried in the silo to balance the internal pressure. The beads will have greater mechanical elasticity.
Molding: the pre sent and dried beads are transferred to the mold, and the steam is added again to make the beads stick together to generate the finished product.
Characteristics: low thermal conductivity, low density, high mechanical property, low water absorption, easy operation and installation, aging resistance, sound insulation and buoyancy.

The closed cell structure can cushion the impact by changing and restoring the deformation. The thermal conductivity is 0.033-0.043w / (m · K). Long term exposure to ultraviolet light will affect performance. It has no nutritional value, will not be eroded by mold, and will not decompose any water-soluble substance that pollutes groundwater.

A study by the packaging School of Michigan State University found that when fruits and vegetables are packaged with EPS, the carbon dioxide released by them will be retained, delaying maturation, and the content of vitamin C can be more effectively maintained.

Challenges facing the industry:

1. Fire. Flame retardant is usually added to improve the flame retardancy of EPS.
2. Recycling. Physical recovery method: the recovered compacted volume becomes 1 / 40 of the original, which is convenient for transportation and re production. The cost of the dissolution method is high. Used for incineration and energy recovery. EPS is not easy to degrade and can be used for landfill.

Category Expandable Polystyrene