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

1. 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.
2. 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:
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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

Polyethylene (PE) is one of most widely used plastics in the world and has a huge spread over industries, segments and applications. PE enables food to be packed economically with a prolonged shelf life, chemicals to be safely transported and distributed, clean water to reach all parts of the population, new cars to be protected from scratches and a myriad of other useful applications used in our everyday lives.

Polyethylene (PE) is characterised by many families and product properties allowing a wide variety of end uses.

THE POLYETHYLENE PORTFOLIO STRETCHES FROM STANDARD GRADES TO SPECIALTIES AND FUNCTIONALISED PE.

LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)produced by Tubular or Autoclave technologies is available with standard (0.918-0.925 g/cc)and medium densities (0.930-0.940 g/cc) together with very low gel levels. LDPE offers high output grades for all extrusion and injection technologies and is available with compliance to food and Pharma standards.

LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) C8 Octene, C6 Hexene, and C4 Butene. LLDPE are available from higher densities (up to 0.941 g/cc) down to very low density PE (0.905 g/cc). LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) is used in extrusion, blown film, roto- moulding, injection moulding for food-packaging, frozen-food, floor-heating-pipes, stretch-film, cosmetic and pharmaceutical tubes etc.

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene); bimodal and unimodal for blown film, blow moulding, Injection moulding or other extrusion processes. HDPE grades are available with UV-Stabilisation, and certification to meet UN standards for blow moulded chemical containers.

Plastomers for modification of PE or PP to increase properties like sealing, impact or softness. The Plastomers offer a wide range of grades, densities and comonomers ( Etylene- Octene or Butene based Polymer.

Functional Polymers such as EEA, EAA, MAH create adhesion to other polymers like EVOH or Polyamide barrier layers in extrusion process. These adhesives create a strong and reliable bond also to other substrates in co-extrusion processes. EAA can also be used in water based dispersions or hot melts (in addition to metallocene based polyolefin hot melt adhesive).

EVA for foam, extrusion or Hot Melt Adhesive applications.

Polyethylene might be divided into three groups:

• Standard Polyethylene
  • LDPE – Low Density Polyethylene
  • HDPE – High Density Polyethylene
  • MDPE – Medium Density Polyethylene
  • LLDPE Butene C4 – Linear Low Density Polyethylene
• High Performance Polyethylene
  • LLDPE Octene C8 – Linear Low Density Polyethylene
  • LLDPE Hexene C6 – Linear Low Density Polyethylene
  • VLDPE Octene C8 – Very Low Density Polyethylene
  • VLDPE Hexene C6 – Very Low Density Polyethylene
  • mLLDPE Octene C8 – Metallocene Linear Low Density Polyethylene
• Specialties and Functional Polyethylene
  • EEA – Ethylene Ethyl Acrylate
  • EAA – Ethylene Acrylic Acid
  • MAH – Maleic Anhydride
  • EVA – Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
  • Plastomers and Elastomers (Ethylene, Propylene based)

Typical applications of standard Polyethylene grades are:

• Shopping bags
• Shrink Hoods
• Industrial Films
• General packaging
• Masterbatch carriers
• Lids
• Crates

Typical applications of High Performance Polyethylene grades are:

• Lamination films
• Sealants
• Cling-stretch
• Frozen food packaging
• Floor heating pipes
• Oil tanks
• Cosmetic tubes

Typical applications of Specialties and Functional Polyethylene grades are:

• Adhesives to barrier layers in food films
• Strong sealant layers for fast packaging lines
• Paper and aluminium coating
• High end Hot Melt Adhesive

Junyuan Petroleum Group is a leading manufacturer of LLDPE grade n-Pentane, isopentane and n-Hexane.