High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), also known as PS (Polystyrene), is an amorphous thermoplastic material, used in lower heat applications. It is categorized as a standard material, and offers ease of processing, high impact strength, and stiffness.
Description
HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), also known as PS (Polystyrene), is an amorphous thermoplastic material, used in lower heat applications. It is categorized as a standard material, and offers ease of processing, high impact strength, and stiffness.
HIPS is a versatile cost-effective material engineered from tough polystyrene resins. It is often specified for low strength structural applications when impact resistance, machinability, and low cost are required. It has excellent dimensional stability and is easy to fabricate – it can be guillotine cut, die-cut, punched, and also painted and glued, properties that make it a popular option for machining pre-production prototypes. Natural (translucent white) HIPS is FDA compliant for use in food processing applications.
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) can be assembled with mechanical fasteners, solvents, or adhesives. Printable grades of polystyrene can be decorated using a variety of printing methods including offset lithography, screen-printing, and digital printing. It is also used as a substrate to mount graphics such as plotter vinyls/films.
HIPS is ideal for producing signs and displays; it is one of the lower cost materials available and contains many of the properties desired by lithographic, screen and digital printers.
Polymershapes proudly offers styrene from industry-leading manufacturers, such as Primex, producers of Impax, DIGI-HIPS™, TearTuf, and more!
If you need your material fabricated, let Polymershapes help! We offer a wide range of value-added services that can help you stand out versus your competition, with a variety of conversion and fabrication services. Our experienced teams will deliver best-in-class customer service and convenience that will exceed your expectations.
Make Polymershapes your go-to source for your HIPS needs, as well as virtually any other plastics or associated products — Contact your local Polymershapes facility today for more information!
Features & Benefits
- High impact strength
- Can be printed using Digital, Screen, Flexo, and Litho inks
- Fabricates well – can be guillotine cut, die-cut, punched and formed
- Easy to Thermoform
- Good dimensional stability
- Fully recyclable with minimal loss of properties
- FDA approved with 100% virgin resin
Applications
- Printing/Graphics
- POP/Display
- Tooling
Physical Properties
| UNITS | ASTM TEST | |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength @ 73°F | 2,480 – 4,520 psi | D638 |
| Flexural modulus @ 73°F | 193,000 – 381,000 psi | D790 |
| Izod impact (notched) | 1.2 – 2.8 ft-lbs/in of notch | D256 |
| Heat deflection temp. @ 264 psi | 160° – 189° F (71° – 87° C) | D648 |
| Water absorption – 24 hours – 1/8″ thick | 0.036 – 0.11% | D570 |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion | 5.0E-5 to 5.1E-5 (in/in/°F | D696 |
*Technical Data is provided courtesy of UL Prospector (www.ulprospector.com) and IAPD (www.IAPD.org).
Data is to be considered representative and is provided for guidance only. All product performance must be verified by the user under actual application conditions.
Standard Sizes
| Sheet | Dimensions: 48” x 96” up to 50” x 99”, custom up to 114″ wide Thickness: 0.020” up to 0.250” |
| Custom sizes available |
*The sizes above are standard stocking sizes. Other custom sizes are available upon request. Please contact your local branch for information and a quote.
Suppliers / Brands
| Suppliers | Brands |
 | DIGI-HIPS® |
| Spartech | |