Polystyrene

Polystyrene

Polystyrene (/ˌpɒliˈstaɪriːn/; abbreviated PS) is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer made from the monomer known as styrene.

Etymology

The term "polystyrene" comes from the Greek words poly (meaning "many") and styrene (a colorless liquid hydrocarbon).

Description

Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. General-purpose polystyrene is clear, hard, and rather brittle. It is an inexpensive resin per unit weight. It is a rather poor barrier to oxygen and water vapor and has a relatively low melting point. Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year.

Uses

Polystyrene is used in a variety of applications, including packaging, insulation, and disposable cutlery.

Related Terms

• Styrene
• Monomer
• Polymer
• Hydrocarbon
• Packaging
• Insulation
• Cutlery

See Also

• Plastic
• Synthetic material
• Chemical compound

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Polystyrene
• Wikipedia's article - Polystyrene

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