Polystyrene is one of the most special chemical chains in the petrochemical industry. This chain is one of the longest carbon lines in chemicals and is placed in the category of phenyls. Polystyrene contains most of the carbons and hydrogens of chemical elements and is known by the formula n(C8H8). The most important feature of polystyrene is the integration of van der Waals bonds in the shortest possible time in polymer chains. The longer these carbon chains are, the more their tensile strength increases, and this is exactly the point that makes polystyrene efficient. All these explanations are more scientific explanations of polystyrene than anything else, but to put it more simply, polymer composite polystyrene, or plastic raw materials, is very hard. This compound, contrary to all the complicated explanations we have said about it, is very simple to produce and is one of the most efficient plastics made by humans.
Molecular structure of polystyrene
Polystyrene is made from styrene monomers. Each styrene unit is both an active electron donor and acceptor; Therefore, the most important property of polystyrene is molecular weight distribution under polymerization conditions. This issue, in simple and non-scientific language, refers to the high resistance of this plastic to water or other solvents.
Polystyrene structure
Of course, the special features of polystyrene end up with many disadvantages, and one of the most important disadvantages of this plastic is that it is too dry and brittle, to the extent that it is also called crystal. On the other hand, the low resistance of this polymer against UV rays and its excessive flammability are other disadvantages of this particular plastic. Of course, the complete destruction of this plastic takes place at a very high temperature, but this melting point (300 degrees) takes place in one step, and this point is considered its biggest disadvantage.
If we want to examine the physical properties of polystyrene in an integrated way, we will definitely proceed in the following order. First, by checking the density of polystyrene, we will find that this polymer can usually vary from 10 to 50 kg/m3 and this has a positive effect on its volume and size. Measurement is the first and last word in the industry, so consider its density before anything else. After that, it comes to the property of floating on water, which has many uses in industrial applications. This issue also causes this polymer to have variable resistance, tensile strength and impact strength based on its purity. For example, the normal models of this polymer have very little resistance against glass, and its reinforced models are used in the industry to make the most resistant objects.
Uses of polystyrene
The first and most important way to use polystyrene is disposable plastic containers. These containers, which today play a very important role in daily life and industry, are used due to their transparency and density. After transparency, the high resistance of this plastic makes them go to this plastic in the manufacture of most sanitary ware, children’s toys, sports equipment and even in the automobile industry. Of course, polystyrene has another special feature, and this feature is the dielectric property of its constituent molecules. This causes this plastic to become one of the most important compounds in electrical industries.
In another category, polystyrene is another type, which is called resistant polystyrene. This type of polymer, which is called Co-Polymer, is a more resistant and modified version, which is directly used in home appliances and equipment. Ko Polymer is also known as Heimpak in Iran. As the impact property of this plastic increases, more and more applications have been defined for it, and they are used in tires, TV manufacturing, household appliances, trays and shelves inside the refrigerator, floors, etc. This high consumption is somewhat popular with the polymer industry, which is expected to reach 17 million tons per year by the end of 2018.
Apart from the resistant type of this plastic, EPS or Unolith is called foam and softened polystyrene. When we add some plastic granule to normal polystyrene, it becomes exponentially bigger and bigger and finally it takes on a soft and doughy state; while still benefiting from molecular cohesion. This molecular continuity is also due to the network state of the granule; Continuity is such that it even grows up to 40 times its original size.
Unolit’s excellent resistance to water, moisture and fire makes it one of the most important components of the building industry. Today, all buildings have been converted into earthquake-proof structures by using soft polystyrene, so that in case of fire, earthquake, etc., they do not suffer from side effects such as increased fire or additional debris.
Polystyrene is one of the most useful forms of plastic and polymer in the petrochemical industry of our country. This mode, which is more established among the common people, is now used in the smallest factories producing disposable containers and the largest home appliance factories. Undoubtedly, most of the industries will fail without using this polymer, and this position will change the way we see this material. The granule used to make this product, like most polymers, is limited and unfortunately has high impurities. For this reason, they should become very important from the point of view of recycling, and the damage they cause to the environment is very high. If we neglect, we may destroy the environment around us and after the passage of time, we will not have a polymer with which to
