"HIPS"
sheet is a thermoplastic, produced from
Styrene monomers and various impact modifiers. It is available
with a matt or high gloss surface. Excellent forming characteristics
make it an ideal choice for vacuum forming, packaging and screen
printing applications.
Product range:
City Plastics carry a variety of standard
sheet sizes and thicknesses, with an option of custom made sizes
and colours available, which are subject to minimum order quantities.
Ex stock colours include black and whites in the standard finish of high
gloss one side and matt the other. Special colours, surface finishes and
UV additives are available, which are subject to a minimum order
quantity.
Product features:
Excellent thermoforming characteristics, good impact strength, approved
- food safe, good rigidity and low temperature toughness, excellent
printability.
Typical applications:
Graphic arts, signs, packaging, cutlery trays, take away food
containers, margarine tubs, cups and lids, point of sale displays.
Fabrication:
Cutting & Guillotining: A circular saw blade with carbide teeth
utilising the triple chip tooth design is preferred for thicker gauges.
Laser cutting and routing are also successful. Other suitable methods
for cutting
Styrene
sheet include guillotining and punching. Guillotining produces
straight-edged cuts, while blanking dies and punches can produce a wide
variety of shapes.
Drilling: For drilling, use conventional drill bits with the standard
drill angles and a negative rake.
Forming: High impact polystyrene
can be thermoformed using typical strip heating and vacuum forming
equipment. No pre drying of the material is required.
Decorating: High impact polystyrene
can be screen-printed using inks specifically formulated for HIPS. Vinyl
graphics can also be applied using typical application methods.
Cementing: High impact polystyrene
can be successfully bonded using Weldon 3 and 16.
Typical properties of HIPS
ASTM test |
Property |
Value |
Physical |
|
|
D792 |
Specific gravity |
1.05 |
D1238 |
Melt flow index |
4(200°C) |
D570 |
Water absorption, 24 hours, 3.0 mm
thick (%) |
0.1 |
°C |
Maximum service temp |
+70 |
°C |
Minimum service temp |
-50 |
Mechanical |
|
|
D638 |
Tensile strength at yield N/mm2 |
30 |
D638 |
Elongation at yield(%) |
3 |
D638 |
Tensile strength at break N/mm2 |
35 |
D638 |
Elongation at break(%) |
40 |
|
Impact strength mj/mm2 |
no break |
D256 |
Notched impact strength mj/mm2 |
8 |
|
Ball indentation hardness N/mm2 |
80 |
D790 |
Flexural strength N/mm2 |
52 |
D638 |
Modulus of elasticity N/mm2 |
2100 |
Thermal |
|
|
C177 |
Thermal conductivity at 20°C |
0.17 |
D696 |
Coefficient of thermal expansion
K-1.10-4 |
0.9 |
D648 |
Deflection temperature °C |
89 |
D1525 |
Vicat softening temperature °C |
89 |
Electrical |
|
|
D257 |
Volume resistivity (ohm-cm) |
10.16 |
D257 |
Surface resistancy ohm |
10.13 |
D150 |
Dielectric constant At 1kHz |
2.5 |
D150 |
Dissipation loss factor At 1kHz |
0.0001 |
Fabrication |
|
|
|
Welding temperature °C |
220 |
|
Forming temperature °C |
150 |
These values are representative of those obtained under standard ASTM
conditions and should not be used to design parts which function under
different conditions |