High Impact Polystyrene
Amorphous thermoplastic HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), also known as PS (Polystyrene), is used in applications requiring less heat. It’s a go to material if rigidity, high impact strength, and ease of processing is required.
HIPS is a versatile, affordable polymer made from durable polystyrene resins. In low strength structural applications where impact resistance, machinability, and affordability are needed, it is frequently used.
With its exceptional dimensional stability and ease of fabrication, it can be painted and glued, as well as guillotined, die-cut, and punched. This makes it a popular choice for producing pre-production prototypes. Natural (translucent white) HIPS can be used in food processing applications without violating FDA regulations. It’s possible to build HIPS using mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or solvents.
It is one of the most affordable materials available, and it has many of the qualities that lithographic, screen, and digital printers look for in signage and displays.
Key Properties:
- Good impact resistance
- Excellent machinability
- Good dimensional stability
- Good esthetics
- Easy to paint and glue
- Low cost
- Most but not all resins FDA compliant
Applications:
- Displays, Signage
- Machined prototypes
- Housing & covers
- Refrigeration liners
- Disposables that require high environmental stress and crack resistance
- Hot and cold drink cups
- Auto industry:Instrumental panels & fittings, gasoline tanks
- Toilet seats and tanks
