X-Nico

5 unusual facts about polystyrene


Gundam model

The models are typical of Plastic models; sprues of injection-molded Polystyrene (PS) parts which must be cut out before assembly.

Nitroxide Mediated Radical Polymerization

TEMPO ((2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl) is capable of inducing the polymerization of styrene and styrene derivatives fairly easily, but is not sufficiently labile to induce polymerization of butyl acrylate under most conditions.

Repeat unit

Polystyrene has a chain where the substituent R is a phenyl group (C6H5), corresponding to a benzene ring minus one hydrogen: -CH2-CH(C6H5)n-, so the repeat unit is -CH2-CH(C6H5)n-.

Thermomass

Thermomass' complete line of concrete insulation systems use fiber-composite connectors to structurally tie two layers of concrete together through predrilled, prefabricated extruded Polystyrene insulation (R-5 per inch of thickness) or Polyisocyanurate insulation (R-6.5 per inch of thickness).

Thermoplastic

Polystyrene is manufactured in various forms that have differint applications.


Calender

Calenders can also be applied to materials other than paper when a smooth, flat surface is desirable, such as cotton, linens, silks, and various man-made fabrics and polymers such as vinyl and ABS polymer sheets, and to a lesser extent HDPE, polypropylene and polystyrene.

Curb mining

In 2006, Tom Dixon, a London designer, handed out 500 of his polystyrene chairs to a crowd in Trafalgar Square.

Hobby injection molding

Polyethylene (both LDPE and HDPE), polypropylene, and polystyrene (including HIPS) have all been used successfully with lever-actuated benchtop injectors.

North Geelong, Victoria

In 1998 hotel owner George Ramia erected a 15m-high polystyrene replica of the Great Sphinx of Giza atop his hotel.

Polymer characterization

Transmission Electron Microscopy in combination with staining techniques, but also Scanning Electron Microscopy, Scanning probe microscopy are important tools to optimize the morphology of materials like polybutadiene-polystyrene polymers and many polymer blends.

Resin casting

Styrene is a similar liquid monomer at room temperature, which will also polymerize into clear glass-like polystyrene plastic, with addition of a suitable catalyst.

Solid

Polymers which have been around, and which are in current widespread use, include carbon-based polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, nylons, polyesters, acrylics, polyurethane, and polycarbonates, and silicon-based silicones.

Total Petrochemicals USA

In 1977, the company acquired polystyrene plants in Orange, California and Windsor, New Jersey.


see also