Application of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in buildings and constructions: A review

Abstract

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is one of the building material capable of enhancing the design and structural integrity of the building. Since its recognition as conventional insulating material in 1950s, EPS has been experiencing swift progress in other new implementations. Currently, EPS is utilized in many building structures owing to its sustainability benefit and improvement in terms of energy efficiency, durability, and indoor environmental quality. This article provides an overview on the application of EPS as aggregates in lightweight concrete, decorative tiles and molding, panel application (structural insulated panels (SIPs) and composite SIPs), and embankment backfilling. Also, this article attempts to describe the properties of EPS in terms of fire behavior, mechanical properties, chemical resistant, water and moisture absorption, and their toxicity to the human and environment. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47529.

Flexural behavior of composite structural insulated panels with magnesium oxide board facings

“…The expanded polystyrene, used as the CSIPs core, is a polymeric closed-cell foam used widely in the building industry. It has low weight, exceptional thermal insulation properties, and very low water absorption properties, making it a popular core material in many types of sandwich panels [19,36]. Its most problematic disadvantages are a low melting temperature and susceptibility to fire.…”

“…Its most problematic disadvantages are a low melting temperature and susceptibility to fire. Therefore, only EPS with flame-redundant properties is allowed for use in the construction industry, preferably with a fire protection material cover [19], such as the MgO board. Another crucial issue is the influence of the molding process on the foam density distribution, which has a direct impact on its strength and stiffness properties [36].…”

“…The MgO board is an emerging new type of cladding that is not only fire-resistant and immune to mold, fungus, and insects, but it also has many "green features," making it an environmentally sustainable material. It also has high compressive and flexural strength, which is an important quality for a load-bearing composite [17,18]. Combined with exceptional thermal insulation properties of EPS [19], it creates an attractive new construction material that requires research attention.…”

“…It also has high compressive and flexural strength, which is an important quality for a load-bearing composite [17,18]. Combined with exceptional thermal insulation properties of EPS [19], it creates an attractive new construction material that requires research attention.…”

Preparation and Properties of Polycarbonate/Polystyrene Bead Alloy via Solvent Evaporation Method

“…Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a cellular material that has been widely used in construction engineering, shipbuilding, transportation, refrigerating and disposable packing materials due to its light weight, low cost and low thermal conductivity, as well as its properties in water repelling, shock absorption and blocking sound . Therefore, EPS has become the most extensively applied foam materials.…”