spore: profile
id: ps
spore_version: 0.2
family: engineering-polymers
name: General-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)
abbreviation: PS
role: 'Rigid thermoplastic for moulding, packaging and foams (GPPS: clear and brittle; HIPS: rubber-toughened)'
category: polymers
type: styrenics
summary: |
  Polystyrene is an amorphous thermoplastic made from styrene, C8H8. General-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) is clear and hard but brittle. High-impact polystyrene (HIPS) is toughened by a dispersed rubber phase, usually polybutadiene. Three Versalis GPPS and HIPS-range grades were read for this profile, all at a Vicat softening point of 101 degC. In a NASA MISSE 2 flight exposure, a polystyrene sample in low Earth orbit had an atomic oxygen erosion yield of 3.74e-24 cm3/atom. The passport does not state whether that sample was GPPS or HIPS.
best_for: Rigid moulded parts that need a Vicat softening point near 101 degC and melt flow rates from 2 to 25 g/10 min at 200 degC/5 kg (Versalis grades read)
weakest_at: Brittleness in GPPS form, and atomic oxygen erosion in low Earth orbit (3.74e-24 cm3/atom on the MISSE 2 flight sample)
identity:
  formula: (C8H8)n; repeat unit C8H8, from the styrene monomer
  cas: 9003-53-6
  source: nist-webbook
  where: 'NIST WebBook entry for polystyrene (Styrene, oligomers page): CAS 9003-53-6, monomer formula C8H8. Repeat-unit description from Wikipedia (Polystyrene)'
tags:
  environments:
    - low-earth-orbit
  stresses:
    - atomic-oxygen
    - uv
    - total-radiation-dose
    - thermal-cycling
    - vacuum-and-outgassing
  applications: []
properties:
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt flow rate, Edistir N 3782
    value: 7.5
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 200 degC
      load: 5 kg
      grade: Edistir N 3782 (Versalis page lists it under its GPPS/HIPS range)
    method: Value printed on the Versalis product page, labelled Melt Flow Index 200 degC - 5 kg
    status: ground
    source: versalis-n3782
    where: Product data table, Melt Flow Index row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat softening temperature, Edistir N 3782
    value: 101
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      method: Vicat B, 50 N load, 50 degC/h
      grade: Edistir N 3782
    method: Value printed on the Versalis product page
    status: ground
    source: versalis-n3782
    where: Product data table, Vicat Softening Temperature row
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt flow rate, Edistir N 3380
    value: 2
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 200 degC
      load: 5 kg
      grade: Edistir N 3380 (listed as high stiffness)
    method: Value printed on the Versalis product page
    status: ground
    source: versalis-n3380
    where: Product data table, Melt Flow Index row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat softening temperature, Edistir N 3380
    value: 101
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      method: Vicat B, 50 N load, 50 degC/h
      grade: Edistir N 3380
    method: Value printed on the Versalis product page
    status: ground
    source: versalis-n3380
    where: Product data table, Vicat Softening Temperature row
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt flow rate, Edistir N 3982
    value: 25
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 200 degC
      load: 5 kg
      grade: Edistir N 3982 (listed as easy flow)
    method: Value printed on the Versalis product page
    status: ground
    source: versalis-n3982
    where: Product data table, Melt Flow Index row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat softening temperature, Edistir N 3982
    value: 101
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      method: Vicat B, 50 N load, 50 degC/h
      grade: Edistir N 3982
    method: Value printed on the Versalis product page
    status: ground
    source: versalis-n3982
    where: Product data table, Vicat Softening Temperature row
  - benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
    label: Atomic oxygen erosion yield, MISSE 2 flight sample
    value: 3.74e-24
    unit: cm3/atom
    scope: material
    conditions:
      environment: low Earth orbit, ISS, MISSE 2 PEC 2 tray 1 (outside the Quest airlock)
      start: '2001-08-16'
      end: '2005-07-30'
      duration_years: 3.95
      atomic_oxygen_fluence: 8.43e21 atoms/cm2
      solar_exposure: 5000-6700 equivalent sun hours
      grade: not stated in the passport
    method: Flight exposure; erosion yield taken from the NASA predictive-tool report as recorded in the passport
    status: flight
    source: misse2-ps-tm
    where: Table I (as recorded in spores/passports/misse2-ps.yaml); exposure details in section 2.1
  - benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
    label: Atomic oxygen erosion yield, laser-detonation beam (PS film)
    value: 2.4e-24
    unit: g/atom
    scope: material
    conditions:
      source_of_oxygen: laser-detonation atomic oxygen beam (ground test)
      film: commercial PS film, 25 to 30 um thick
      reference: Kapton used as fluence reference
    method: Mass-loss yield printed in the text (no table); the paper gives it in g/atom, not converted here
    status: ground
    note: Ground beam test, not flight. Units differ from the flight value above (g/atom against cm3/atom); do not compare the two without a density.
    source: goto2022
    where: Section 3.3, Mass Losses of Polymers
  - benchmark: glass_transition
    label: Glass transition temperature (PS film, as printed in kelvin)
    value: 360
    value_high: 370
    bound: range
    unit: K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: range printed in the paper for polystyrene
      note: printed in kelvin; not converted
    method: Range stated in an open-access paper, citing earlier work
    status: ground
    source: goto2022
    where: Section 3.2 (citing refs 54 and 55)
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, PS 158K (GPPS)
    value: 1048
    unit: kg/m3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ISO 1183
      grade: Styrolution PS 158K (GPPS)
    method: Value printed in Other Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Other Properties, Density row
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt flow rate, PS 158K
    value: 3
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 200 degC
      load: 5 kg
      standard: ISO 1133
    method: Value printed in Rheological Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Rheological Properties, Melt Flow Rate row
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Tensile stress at yield, PS 158K
    value: 55
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 23 degC
      standard: ISO 527
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile Stress at Yield row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, PS 158K
    value: 3300
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 23 degC
      standard: ISO 527
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile Modulus row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Tensile strain at break, PS 158K
    value: 3
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 23 degC
      standard: ISO 527
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile Strain at Break row
  - benchmark: flexural_strength
    label: Flexural strength, PS 158K
    value: 103
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 23 degC
      standard: ISO 178
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Mechanical Properties, Flexural Strength row
  - benchmark: izod_notched_impact
    label: Izod notched impact, PS 158K
    value: 2.5
    unit: kJ/m2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 23 degC
      standard: ISO 180/A
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Mechanical Properties, Izod Notched Impact row
  - benchmark: charpy_notched_impact
    label: Charpy notched impact, PS 158K
    value: 3
    unit: kJ/m2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 23 degC
      standard: ISO 179/1eA
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Mechanical Properties, Charpy Notched row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat softening, VST/B/50, PS 158K
    value: 101
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 50 N
      heating_rate: 50 degC/h
      standard: ISO 306
    method: Value printed in Thermal Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Thermal Properties, VST/B/50 row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat softening, B/1, PS 158K
    value: 108
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 10 N
      heating_rate: 120 degC/h
      standard: ASTM D 1525
    method: Value printed in Thermal Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Thermal Properties, Vicat B/1 row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Heat deflection, method A, PS 158K
    value: 86
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 1.8 MPa
      anneal: 4 h at 80 degC
      standard: ISO 75
    method: Value printed in Thermal Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Thermal Properties, HDT A row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Heat deflection, method B, PS 158K
    value: 98
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 0.45 MPa
      anneal: 4 h at 80 degC
      standard: ISO 75
    method: Value printed in Thermal Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Thermal Properties, HDT B row
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, PS 158K
    value: 80
    unit: 10-6/degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ISO 11359
    method: Value printed in Thermal Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Thermal Properties, CLTE row
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity, PS 158K
    value: 0.17
    unit: W/(m K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: DIN 52612-1
    method: Value printed in Thermal Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Thermal Properties, Thermal Conductivity row
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Dielectric constant, 100 Hz, PS 158K
    value: 2.5
    unit: dimensionless
    scope: material
    conditions:
      frequency: 100 Hz
      standard: IEC 62631-2-1
    method: Value printed in Electrical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Electrical Properties, Dielectric Constant row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, GP 150I (GPPS)
    value: 1.04
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: KKPC GP 150I (GPPS)
    method: Value printed in Physical table
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Physical, Density row
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt flow index, GP 150I
    value: 3
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 200 degC
      load: 5 kg
    method: Value printed in Physical table
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Physical, Melt Flow Index row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, GP 150I
    value: 520
    unit: kg/cm2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D638
      printed_also: 7,384 psi
    method: Value printed in Mechanical table (kg/cm2 as printed)
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Mechanical, Tensile Strength row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation, GP 150I
    value: 3.5
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D638
    method: Value printed in Mechanical table
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Mechanical, Elongation row
  - benchmark: flexural_strength
    label: Flexural strength, GP 150I
    value: 890
    unit: kg/cm2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D790
      printed_also: 12,638 psi
    method: Value printed in Mechanical table (kg/cm2 as printed)
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Mechanical, Flexural Strength row
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, GP 150I
    value: 33000
    unit: kg/cm2
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D790
      printed_also: 468,600 psi
    method: Value printed in Mechanical table (kg/cm2 as printed)
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Mechanical, Flexural Modulus row
  - benchmark: izod_notched_impact
    label: Izod impact (3.2 mm), GP 150I
    value: 0.28
    unit: ft-lb/in
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D256
      printed_also: 1.5 kgcm/cm
    method: Value printed in Mechanical table, ft-lb/in column
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Mechanical, Izod Impact Strength row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Heat deflection temperature, GP 150I
    value: 92
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 18.6 kgf/cm2
      standard: ASTM D648
      printed_also: 198 F
    method: Value printed in Thermal table
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Thermal, Heat Deflection Temperature row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat softening, GP 150I
    value: 105
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 1 kg
      heating_rate: 50 degC/h
      standard: ASTM D1525
      printed_also: 221 F
    method: Value printed in Thermal table
    status: ground
    source: kkpc-gp150i
    where: Thermal, Vicat Softening Temperature row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, PS060H (GPPS)
    value: 1.04
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-792
      grade: Vinpol PS060H
    method: Value printed in Resin Property table
    status: ground
    source: vinmar-ps060h
    where: Resin Property table, Density row
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt flow rate, PS060H
    value: 6
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 200 degC
      load: 5.0 kg
      standard: ASTM D-1238
    method: Value printed in Resin Property table
    status: ground
    source: vinmar-ps060h
    where: Resin Property table, Melt Flow Rate row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength at break, PS060H
    value: 53
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-638
      printed_also: 7,650 psi
    method: Printed as 7,650 (53) psi (MPa); MPa value kept
    status: ground
    source: vinmar-ps060h
    where: Resin Property table, Tensile Strength Break row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, PS060H
    value: 3240
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-638
      printed_also: 470,000 psi
    method: Printed as 470,000 (3,240) psi (MPa); MPa value kept
    status: ground
    source: vinmar-ps060h
    where: Resin Property table, Tensile Modulus row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Break elongation, PS060H
    value: 1.6
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-638
    method: Value printed in Resin Property table
    status: ground
    source: vinmar-ps060h
    where: Resin Property table, Break Elongation row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat temperature, PS060H
    value: 107
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-1525
      printed_also: 225 F
    method: Printed as 225 (107) F (C)
    status: ground
    source: vinmar-ps060h
    where: Resin Property table, Vicat Temperature row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: HDT at 264 psi (unannealed), PS060H
    value: 85
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 264 psi
      standard: ASTM D-648
      printed_also: 185 F
    method: Printed as 185 (85) F (C)
    status: ground
    source: vinmar-ps060h
    where: Resin Property table, HDT row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, HIPS (Plitek CDS-8144)
    value: 1.04
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D792
      material: High impact polystyrene
    method: Value printed in Physical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Physical Properties, Density row
  - benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    label: Melt mass-flow rate, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 3
    unit: g/10 min
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 200 degC
      load: 5.0 kg
      standard: ASTM D1238
    method: Value printed in Physical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Physical Properties, MFR row
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Tensile strength (yield), HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 2950
    unit: psi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D638
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table; psi kept as printed
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile Strength (Yield) row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Tensile elongation at break, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 55
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D638
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile Elongation row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 270
    unit: kpsi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D638
    method: Printed as 270 kpsi; kept as printed
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Mechanical Properties, Tensile Modulus row
  - benchmark: flexural_strength
    label: Flexural strength at 73 F, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 6030
    unit: psi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D790
      temperature: 73 F
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Mechanical Properties, Flexural Strength row
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus at 73 F, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 270
    unit: kpsi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D790
      temperature: 73 F
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Mechanical Properties, Flexural Modulus row
  - benchmark: izod_notched_impact
    label: Notched Izod at 73 F, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 2
    unit: ft-lb/in
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D256
      temperature: 73 F
    method: Value printed in Mechanical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Mechanical Properties, Notched Izod row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat B/1, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 212
    unit: degF
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 10 N
      heating_rate: 120 degC/h
      standard: ASTM D1525
    method: Value printed in Thermal Properties table; degF kept as printed
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Thermal Properties, Vicat Softening row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: HDT A, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 183
    unit: degF
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 261 psi
      anneal: 4 h at 80 degC
    method: Value printed in Thermal Properties table; standard not named in the sheet
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Thermal Properties, Heat Deflection Temperature row
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 0.5
    unit: 10-4/degF
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D696
    method: Printed as 0.5 x 10-4 /F; kept as printed
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Thermal Properties, CTE row
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Dielectric constant at 10^6 Hz, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 2.5
    unit: dimensionless
    scope: material
    conditions:
      frequency: 10^6 Hz
      standard: ASTM D150
    method: Value printed in Electrical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Electrical Properties, Dielectric Constant row
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Dielectric strength, 1/8 in, HIPS (CDS-8144)
    value: 400
    unit: kV/in
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D149
    method: Value printed in Electrical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: plitek-cds8144
    where: Electrical Properties, Dielectric Strength row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Specific gravity, HIPS (PlasticsIntl)
    value: 1.04
    unit: dimensionless
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D792
      material: HIPS, typical base resin
    method: Value printed; all values at 73 F
    status: ground
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Physical, Specific Gravity row
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, HIPS (PlasticsIntl)
    value: 240000
    unit: psi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D790
    method: Value printed in property table
    status: ground
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Mechanical, Flexural Modulus row
  - benchmark: flexural_strength
    label: Flexural strength at yield, HIPS (PlasticsIntl)
    value: 4210
    unit: psi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D790
    method: Value printed in property table
    status: ground
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Mechanical, Flexural Strength at yield row
  - benchmark: izod_notched_impact
    label: Notched Izod at 73 F, HIPS (PlasticsIntl)
    value: 2.8
    unit: ft-lb/in
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D256
      temperature: 73 F
    method: Value printed in property table
    status: ground
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Mechanical, Izod Impact Strength notched row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Tensile elongation at break, HIPS (PlasticsIntl)
    value: 50
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D638
    method: Value printed in property table
    status: ground
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Mechanical, Tensile Elongation at break row
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Tensile strength at yield, HIPS (PlasticsIntl)
    value: 3000
    unit: psi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D638
      note: printed as greater than 3,000 psi
    method: Lower bound as printed (>3,000 psi)
    status: ground
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Mechanical, Tensile Strength at yield row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening
    label: Vicat softening, HIPS (PlasticsIntl)
    value: 210
    unit: degF
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D1525
    method: Value printed in property table
    status: ground
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Thermal, Vicat Softening Temp row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: HDT at 264 psi, HIPS (PlasticsIntl)
    value: 185
    unit: degF
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 264 psi
      standard: ASTM D648
    method: Value printed in property table
    status: ground
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Thermal, HDT @264 psi row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Specific gravity, HIPS (Spartech post-industrial)
    value: 1.04
    unit: dimensionless
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-792
      material: Post-industrial recycled HIPS, 50 to 100 percent recycled content
    method: Value printed in Technical Properties table
    status: ground
    source: spartech-hips
    where: Technical Properties, Specific Gravity row
  - benchmark: izod_notched_impact
    label: Notched Izod at 72 F, HIPS (Spartech)
    value: 2
    unit: ft-lbs/in
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-256
      note: printed as greater than 2.0
    method: Lower bound as printed (>2.0 ft-lbs/in)
    status: ground
    source: spartech-hips
    where: Technical Properties, Izod Impact row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: HDT at 264 psi, HIPS (Spartech)
    value: 180
    unit: degF
    scope: material
    conditions:
      load: 264 psi
      standard: ASTM D-648
      note: printed as greater than 180 F
    method: Lower bound as printed (>180 F)
    status: ground
    source: spartech-hips
    where: Technical Properties, HDT row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, HIPS (Spartech)
    value: 2000
    unit: psi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-638
      note: printed as greater than 2,000 psi
    method: Lower bound as printed (>2,000 psi)
    status: ground
    source: spartech-hips
    where: Technical Properties, Tensile Strength row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Tensile elongation at break, HIPS (Spartech)
    value: 70
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: ASTM D-638
      note: printed as greater than 70 percent
    method: Lower bound as printed (>70 %)
    status: ground
    source: spartech-hips
    where: Technical Properties, Tensile Elongation row
corrosion:
  - environment: Low Earth orbit, atomic oxygen
    headline: Atomic oxygen erodes PS in LEO at 3.74e-24 cm3/atom on the MISSE 2 flight sample.
    effect: The flight sample lost material at 3.74e-24 cm3/atom over 3.95 years at a fluence of 8.43e21 atoms/cm2. The laser-beam test on PS film gave a mass-loss yield of 2.4e-24 g/atom, and the paper reports nanoscale protrusions forming on the surface. Grade and film thickness of the flight sample are not stated.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      flight: MISSE 2, LEO, 2001 to 2005
      ground: laser-detonation atomic oxygen beam, Kapton reference, PS film 25 to 30 um
    source: misse2-ps-tm
    where: Table I (passport); Goto 2022 Section 3.3
  - environment: Fire
    headline: Polystyrene is flammable and releases large amounts of black smoke.
    effect: Burning polystyrene gives off large amounts of black smoke. The UL 94 HB rating of the Vinpol and Plitek sheets is a horizontal-burn class, not a fire-resistance grade.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: general description; no burn test value read
    source: wikipedia-ps
    where: Structure and production section; PS060H and CDS-8144 flammability rows
  - environment: Mechanical impact at room temperature
    headline: General-purpose PS is hard and brittle; HIPS is toughened with a rubber phase.
    effect: Wikipedia describes GPPS as clear, hard and brittle and says a polybutadiene rubber phase in HIPS changes this. Datasheet impact figures are in the properties above.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: general description
    source: wikipedia-ps
    where: Lead section; Impact-resistant polystyrene section
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: 'Styrene monomer (CAS 100-42-5), ECHA aggregate in PubChem: flammable liquid and vapour (H226), causes skin irritation (H315), causes serious eye irritation (H319), harmful if inhaled (H332), may cause respiratory irritation (H335), causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (H372, 73.8% of notifications). The hazard is for the monomer; the solid polymer was not read.'
      ghs:
        - H226
        - H315
        - H319
        - H332
        - H335
        - H372
      source: pubchem-styrene
      where: PubChem CID 7501, GHS Classification (ECHA C&L aggregate, Danger)
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Brittleness of GPPS
      trigger: Impact on general-purpose (non-impact-modified) polystyrene
      consequence: Wikipedia describes general-purpose polystyrene as clear, hard and brittle, and says the rubber phase of HIPS changes that behaviour. Datasheets give GPPS Izod 2.5 kJ/m2 (INEOS PS 158K, ISO 180/A) and HIPS Izod 2.0 to 2.8 ft-lb/in (ASTM D256); the units differ and are not compared directly.
      severity: low
      source: wikipedia-ps
      where: Polystyrene article, general description; INEOS PS 158K and Plitek CDS-8144 Izod rows
    - mode: Flammability
      trigger: Ignition of polystyrene in service or in a fire
      consequence: Polystyrene is flammable and releases large amounts of black smoke on burning. Vinmar PS060H and Plitek CDS-8144 are rated UL 94 HB.
      severity: moderate
      source: wikipedia-ps
      where: Polystyrene article, Structure and production section; Vinpol PS060H and Plitek CDS-8144 flammability rows
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: 'Styrene monomer (PubChem ECHA aggregate): P210 keep away from heat, P261 avoid breathing vapour, P280 wear protective gloves, eye protection and face protection, P403+P235 keep cool and well ventilated, P501 dispose of contents per regulations.'
      ghs: []
      source: pubchem-styrene
      where: PubChem CID 7501, Precautionary Statement Codes (ECHA aggregate)
  mitigations: []
uses:
  - application: structures
    device: Machined prototypes, housings and covers (HIPS)
    example: PlasticsIntl HIPS sheet lists machined prototypes, low-strength structural components, housings and covers as applications.
    source: plasticsintl-hips
    where: Applications Include list
  - application: structures
    device: Transparent sheet and photo frames (GPPS)
    example: INEOS PS 158K lists transparent sheet for showcases and displays, consumer electronics and photo frames.
    source: ineos-158k
    where: Applications, PS 158K datasheet
supply:
  - subject: Styrene (monomer, feedstock for polystyrene)
    abundance: Styrene is typically made from benzene. About 25 million tonnes were produced in 2010, rising to around 35 million tonnes by 2018 (global, Wikipedia).
    producers: []
    critical_lists: []
    source: wikipedia-styrene
    where: Styrene article, lead and Industrial production section
media: []
documents:
  - title: Versalis Edistir N 3782, GPPS/HIPS product page
    type: datasheet
    url: https://versalis.eni.com/en-IT/portfolio/polymers/styrenics/gpps-hips/n-3782.html
  - title: Versalis Edistir N 3380, GPPS/HIPS product page
    type: datasheet
    url: https://versalis.eni.com/en-IT/portfolio/polymers/styrenics/gpps-hips/n-3380.html
  - title: Versalis Edistir N 3982, GPPS/HIPS product page
    type: datasheet
    url: https://versalis.eni.com/en-IT/portfolio/polymers/styrenics/gpps-hips/n-3982.html
  - title: NASA/TM-2008-215490, Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in LEO
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
    year: 2008
  - title: Goto, Yamashita, Tagawa, Langmuir 2022, Formation of Nanoscale Protrusions on Polymer Films after Atomic Oxygen Irradiation
    type: paper
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8945384
    year: 2022
  - title: NIST WebBook, polystyrene (CAS 9003-53-6)
    type: database
    url: https://webbook.nist.gov/cgi/cbook.cgi?ID=C9003536&Units=SI
  - title: INEOS Styrolution PS 158K GPPS datasheet (plasticker copy)
    type: datasheet
    url: https://plasticker.de/docs/recybase/3644_1783596902.pdf
  - title: KKPC GP 150I GPPS technical data sheet
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.kkpc.com/download/?seq=6275
  - title: Vinpol PS060H general purpose polystyrene
    type: datasheet
    url: https://vpa.vinmar.com/wp-content/uploads/VINPOL-PS060H.pdf
  - title: Plitek CDS-8144 high impact polystyrene
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.plitek.com/wp-content/uploads/8144.pdf
  - title: PlasticsIntl HIPS data sheet
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.plasticsintl.com/media/q1unrohn/polystyrene-hips-data-sheet.pdf
  - title: Spartech post-industrial recycled HIPS TDS
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.spartech.com/media/tds/Post-Industrial-Recycled-Content-HIPS.pdf
  - title: PubChem CID 7501 styrene
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7501
gaps:
  - PS 158N, Trinseo Styron 666, TotalEnergies and Americas Styrenics datasheets were not read. Trinseo gave only a paid 1992 ASM listing, and the PS 158N Material Data Center page gave no readable values in this run. GPPS values come from PS 158K (INEOS datasheet copy on plasticker.de), KKPC GP 150I and Vinmar PS060H.
  - Glass transition temperature (about 100 degC) was not read from a datasheet in this run. Wikipedia Tg values were not used.
  - HIPS polybutadiene rubber content was not read. Wikipedia names polybutadiene as the rubber but gives no share.
  - Free-radical polymerisation was not read from a source in this run.
  - No styrene producer list or country shares were read (no EPA, ECHA or PlasticsEurope page). Only the global tonnage from Wikipedia is given.
  - UV yellowing, solvent crazing and heat ageing were not read for polystyrene. Only flammability and brittleness are recorded, from Wikipedia.
  - No PubChem GHS for the polystyrene polymer (CAS 9003-53-6) was read. The hazard entry is for the styrene monomer.
  - No laboratory-ware uses were read. Packaging, CD cases and foam uses come from Wikipedia and the INEOS datasheet (foam containers, PSP/XPS).
  - The MISSE 2 passport does not say whether the flight sample was GPPS or HIPS.
  - No MDPI open-access polystyrene paper found for the erosion or thermal-ageing data.
  - Density, tensile and HDT values for the three Versalis grades are not on their product pages; the linked PDF datasheets were not reached in this run.
sources:
  versalis-n3782:
    title: Edistir N 3782, Versalis GPPS/HIPS product page
    id: Versalis product page
    url: https://versalis.eni.com/en-IT/portfolio/polymers/styrenics/gpps-hips/n-3782.html
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  versalis-n3380:
    title: Edistir N 3380, Versalis GPPS/HIPS product page
    id: Versalis product page
    url: https://versalis.eni.com/en-IT/portfolio/polymers/styrenics/gpps-hips/n-3380.html
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  versalis-n3982:
    title: Edistir N 3982, Versalis GPPS/HIPS product page
    id: Versalis product page
    url: https://versalis.eni.com/en-IT/portfolio/polymers/styrenics/gpps-hips/n-3982.html
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  misse2-ps-tm:
    title: Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit
    id: NASA/TM-2008-215490 (Banks, Backus and de Groh, December 2008)
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
    year: 2008
    kind: report
    license: public domain (NASA)
  goto2022:
    title: 'Formation of Nanoscale Protrusions on Polymer Films after Atomic Oxygen Irradiation: Changes in Morphologies, Masses, and FT-IR Spectra'
    id: doi:10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c02605 (Langmuir 38(11), 3339-3349; PMC8945384)
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8945384
    year: 2022
    kind: paper
    license: as listed by PMC
  nist-webbook:
    title: NIST Chemistry WebBook, polystyrene (Styrene, oligomers page)
    id: CAS 9003-53-6
    url: https://webbook.nist.gov/cgi/cbook.cgi?ID=C9003536&Units=SI
    year: 2026
    kind: database
    license: public domain (NIST)
  wikipedia-ps:
    title: Polystyrene, Wikipedia (identity and history only)
    id: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA
  ineos-158k:
    title: Styrolution PS 158K, General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) datasheet (copy on plasticker.de)
    id: Styrolution PS 158K, revision 2016.01.17
    url: https://plasticker.de/docs/recybase/3644_1783596902.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  kkpc-gp150i:
    title: KKPC GP 150I, GPPS Technical Data Sheet
    id: GP 150I, rev 2023-04-17
    url: https://www.kkpc.com/download/?seq=6275
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  vinmar-ps060h:
    title: Vinpol PS060H, General Purpose Polystyrene
    id: Vinmar PS060H, rev 12/8/2023
    url: https://vpa.vinmar.com/wp-content/uploads/VINPOL-PS060H.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  plitek-cds8144:
    title: Plitek CDS-8144, High Impact Polystyrene customer data sheet
    id: CDS-8144 Rev 03
    url: https://www.plitek.com/wp-content/uploads/8144.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  plasticsintl-hips:
    title: PlasticsIntl, HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) data sheet
    id: PlasticsIntl HIPS data sheet
    url: https://www.plasticsintl.com/media/q1unrohn/polystyrene-hips-data-sheet.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  spartech-hips:
    title: Spartech, Post Industrial Recycled Content HIPS technical data sheet
    id: Spartech TDS, Feb-22
    url: https://www.spartech.com/media/tds/Post-Industrial-Recycled-Content-HIPS.pdf
    kind: datasheet
    license: cited; no reproduction
  pubchem-styrene:
    title: PubChem, Styrene (CID 7501), GHS Classification
    id: CID 7501, CAS 100-42-5
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7501
    kind: database
    license: public domain (NIH/NLM)
  wikipedia-styrene:
    title: Styrene, Wikipedia (production and volumes only)
    id: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-19'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 66
  unreachable: 3
  caveats: 2
  note: Deepened by an AI assistant on 2026-10-19 from datasheets and pages read in this run. Original Versalis values kept. Added GPPS (INEOS PS 158K, KKPC GP 150I, Vinmar PS060H) and HIPS (Plitek, PlasticsIntl, Spartech) datasheets; styrene hazards from PubChem.
story:
  recipe:
    line: Polystyrene is a vinyl polymer. Each repeat unit is one styrene monomer, C8H8, with a phenyl ring on a two-carbon chain (repeat unit [-CH2-CH(C6H5)-]n). HIPS adds a dispersed polybutadiene rubber phase (share not read). The polymerisation route is not sourced in this run.
    parts:
      - name: Carbon
        symbol: C
        atoms: 8
        atomic_weight: 12.011
        role: 'Eight carbon atoms per styrene unit: six in the phenyl ring and two in the vinyl chain.'
      - name: Hydrogen
        symbol: H
        atoms: 8
        atomic_weight: 1.008
        role: Eight hydrogen atoms per styrene unit. Carbon is about 92 percent and hydrogen about 8 percent of the repeat-unit weight, computed from these atomic weights.
      - name: Styrene
        symbol: C8H8
        atoms: 1
        role: The monomer. Its vinyl group opens to form the chain; the phenyl group hangs off alternate carbons.
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      level: 0
      verdict: Styrene monomer classified (PubChem)
      lead: The styrene monomer is classified in PubChem (ECHA aggregate). The solid polymer was not separately read.
      points:
        - label: Status
          line: Flammable liquid, skin and eye irritant, harmful if inhaled, organ damage on repeated exposure (H226, H315, H319, H332, H372). Check the supplier SDS before handling the monomer.
    - title: In service
      points:
        - label: Atomic oxygen
          line: On the NASA MISSE 2 flight sample in low Earth orbit, erosion was 3.74e-24 cm3/atom over 3.95 years.
  why: Polystyrene is a common, low-cost thermoplastic. General-purpose grades are clear, stiff and brittle; high-impact grades add a rubber phase to tolerate impact. The datasheets read here put GPPS density at about 1.04 g/cm3 (1048 kg/m3 for PS 158K), Vicat softening at 101 to 107 degC and heat deflection at 85 to 98 degC, and HIPS density at 1.04 g/cm3 with Vicat at 210 to 212 degF.
  uses:
    - where: Structures (housings, covers, prototypes), HIPS
      line: PlasticsIntl and Spartech list housings, covers and machined prototypes for HIPS.
    - where: Showcases, displays and photo frames, GPPS
      line: INEOS PS 158K datasheet lists transparent sheet for these uses.
    - where: Packaging, CD cases and disposable cutlery
      line: Wikipedia lists disposable cutlery, CD jewel cases and smoke detector housings, made from GPPS and HIPS.
    - where: Foam packaging, GPPS
      line: INEOS PS 158K lists expanded sheet and foam containers (PSP and XPS) as applications.
  can_do:
    - label: Softening
      value: 101 degC Vicat (VST/B/50)
      line: 'INEOS PS 158K (GPPS): Vicat 101 degC at 50 N; heat deflection 86 degC at 1.8 MPa.'
    - label: Stiffness
      value: 3300 MPa tensile modulus
      line: INEOS PS 158K tensile modulus at 23 degC (ISO 527); HIPS flexural modulus 270 kpsi (Plitek).
    - label: Impact
      value: 2.5 kJ/m2 GPPS, 2.0 to 2.8 ft-lb/in HIPS
      line: Notched impact on GPPS (INEOS, ISO 180/A) and HIPS (ASTM D256). The units differ, so the two are not compared.
    - label: Flow
      value: 2 to 25 g/10 min
      line: Melt flow rate at 200 degC and 5 kg across the Versalis grades read earlier; PS 158K 3 g/10 min; PS060H 6 g/10 min.
  compare: No direct comparison with other polymers was made in this run. Compare against other profiles only after the missing HIPS and density values are sourced.
  compare_rows:
    - scope: material
      label: Vicat softening
      benchmark: vicat_softening
    - scope: material
      label: Melt flow rate
      benchmark: melt_flow_rate
    - scope: material
      label: Atomic oxygen erosion yield
      benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
  handling:
    - 'Styrene monomer (PubChem ECHA aggregate): keep away from heat (P210), avoid breathing vapour (P261), wear protective gloves and eye protection (P280), keep cool and well ventilated (P403+P235).'
    - Polystyrene is flammable and gives off black smoke when it burns (Wikipedia).
  good_for:
    - Rigid moulded parts that soften at about 101 degC (Vicat, GPPS PS 158K and Versalis grades).
    - Impact-tolerant housings and covers in HIPS grades (PlasticsIntl, Spartech).
  watch_out:
    - 'Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit: 3.74e-24 cm3/atom on the MISSE 2 flight sample.'
    - Brittleness of GPPS (Wikipedia; impact values in different units across datasheets).
    - 'Flammability: black smoke on burning (Wikipedia). Styrene monomer is a flammable, irritant, organ-toxic liquid (PubChem).'
  verdict: Polystyrene has well-documented softening and stiffness values across GPPS datasheets (density about 1.04 g/cm3 (1048 kg/m3 for PS 158K), Vicat 101 to 107 degC). HIPS adds impact tolerance at the cost of a lower Vicat value. Ageing (UV, solvent crazing), Tg and polymerisation route are still open, and the flight erosion value is for one unidentified grade.