General Description: Figure 1: Molecular Structure of High Impact Polystyrene

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General description

The mechanical properties of the relatively brittle PS moulding materials


can be considerably improved by adding rubbers, i.e. polybutadiene. High
impact polystyrene is also known as toughened PS or rubber-modified PS;
ISO 2897-2 defines it as impact resistant polystyrene (IPS). Early
production processes for HIPS were based on mixing PS moulding
materials with a rubber component. Polymerisation of styrene in the
presence of polybutadiene is, however, much more effective. A two-phase
system is formed due to the immiscibility of polystyrene and
polybutadiene. Polystyrene forms the continuous phase (matrix) and
polybutadiene does the disperse phase (rubber particle). The rubber
particles contain small inclusions of polystyrene. The rubber particles in
HIPS generally have a diameter of 0.5 – 10 Wm. They, therefore, scatter
visible light and the transparency of the PS moulding materials is lost.
Figure 4.2 shows the structure of HIPS containing the polystyrene and
polybutadiene chains. The additives commonly used with moulding PS
grades can also be compounded into HIPS. In addition, antioxidants are
used for rubber stabilisation and flame-retardants are added for special PS
applications.

Figure 1: Molecular structure of high impact polystyrene


High impact polystyrene (HIPS) has many uses and applications
because of its ease of processing, low cost and high performance.
It is converted to products by injection moulding, extrusion and
thermoforming. Major end uses include packaging, disposable
containers and cups, consumer electronics, razors, audio and
video cassettes, TV cabinets, refrigeration liners, computer
housings, and toys. HIPS is also used to make engineering resin
blends with polyphenylene oxide for the automotive industry.

•Structure of HIPS

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2 Flow Sheet of HIPS productions

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a form of polystyrene


(PS) that carries with it a higher impact strength.
Homopolymers PS can often be brittle, and can be made
more impact resistant if combined with other materials.
This form of PS typically is produced by adding around 5-
10% rubber or butadiene copolymer.

3
3 Technical parameters

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