12 Facts About Polystyrene

Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year.

Polystyrene can be naturally transparent, but can be colored with colorants.

Polystyrene was discovered in 1839 by Eduard Simon, an apothecary from Berlin.

Polystyrene is an addition polymer that results when styrene monomers interconnect .

Polystyrene, being an aromatic hydrocarbon, typically combusts incompletely as indicated by the sooty flame.

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Polystyrene is commonly injection molded, vacuum formed, or extruded, while expanded polystyrene is either extruded or molded in a special process.

Polystyrene copolymers are produced; these contain one or more other monomers in addition to styrene.

Polystyrene is used for producing disposable plastic cutlery and dinnerware, CD "jewel" cases, smoke detector housings, license plate frames, plastic model assembly kits, and many other objects where a rigid, economical plastic is desired.

Polystyrene foams are good thermal insulators and are therefore often used as building insulation materials, such as in insulating concrete forms and structural insulated panel building systems.

Polystyrene foams are produced using blowing agents that form bubbles and expand the foam.

Polystyrene is not biodegradeable but it is susceptible to photo-oxidation.

Polystyrene is commonly used in containers for food and drinks.