EPS · grade
EPS-15
Properties of the EPS-15 condition, compared with the other EPS grades.
Entry-level wall insulation and protective packaging where compressive load is light.
What is EPS-15?
EPS-15 is EPS in the EPS-15 grade — entry-level wall insulation and protective packaging where compressive load is light. EPS-15 has a tensile strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi), weaker than 97% of polymer grades. The elastic modulus is 0 GPa (5.08×10⁻⁴ Msi). EPS-15 has a density of 0.02 g/cm³ (5.42×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 100% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F). EPS-20 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; EPS-15 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.02 g/cm³ (5.42×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), better than 100% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 76% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 2%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 15/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0 GPa (5.08×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.022 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of polymer grades
EPS-15 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EPS-15 — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every EPS grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical4
EPS-15 has a density of 0.02 g/cm³ (5.42×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 100% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Mechanical7
EPS-15 has a tensile strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi), weaker than 97% of polymer grades. The elastic modulus is 0 GPa (5.08×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal8
EPS-15 is rated for continuous service to 75°C (167 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.022 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 65 µm/m·K (36.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
EPS-15 has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 55% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EPS-15 takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability5
EPS-15's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other EPS grades and fills
EPS is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the EPS overview.
- EPS-20DefaultThe default balance of insulation value, strength and cost for EIFS boards and industrial packaging.0.25 MPa tensile
- EPS-40Highest common EPS density for geofoam fill, load-bearing floors and heavy-duty packaging.0.47 MPa tensile
- EPS-30Choose for under-slab, roof deck and geofoam-light duty where compressive load matters.0.36 MPa tensile
- EPS-15Entry-level wall insulation and protective packaging where compressive load is light.0.18 MPa tensile
- EPS-10Cheapest cushioning/void-fill foam where load-bearing and insulation demands are minimal.0.12 MPa tensile
Working with EPS-15
Is EPS easy to machine?
Hot-wire cutting or CNC hot-wire/router with sharp tools and vacuum extraction; avoid friction heat and use light passes to prevent bead pull-out.
Can EPS be welded?
Not fusion-weldable in the plastics-welding sense — blocks are joined by steam fusion during molding, or bonded with water-based/hot-melt adhesives (never solvent adhesives).
Can EPS be formed, bent or molded?
Pre-expand beads with steam, age 6–24 h, then block or shape mold at 0.6–1.2 bar steam and 100–120 °C; allow post-mold drying/aging to stabilize dimensions (0.3–0.8 % shrinkage).
What surface finishes work on EPS?
Coat with cement or acrylic skim coats, water-based paints or laminate facings; solvent paints, PU foam and hot bitumen (>90 °C) will attack the surface, and UV exposure demands prompt covering.
EPS chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| pentane (n-/iso-pentane blowing agent)in raw bead; <0.5 % residual in aged product | 3 – 7 | 5 |
| flame retardant (polymeric brominated, PFR grades only; HBCD phased out | 0.4 – 1.2 | 0.8 |
| nucleating agent / wax, coating (zinc stcell-size and mold-release additives | 0.1 – 1 | 0.4 |
| graphite / carbon IR absorbergrey GEPS variants only | 0.5 – 4 | 2 |
| polystyrene (styrene homopolymer)Mw ≈ 180,000–260,000 | ≥ 90 (balance) | — |
EPS-15 — frequently asked
What is EPS-15 used for?
EPS-15 is typically used for building insulation board, protective packaging, disposable coolers, void fill and lightweight concrete fill. In short: lowest-cost rigid insulation foam; lightest styrenic foam; best cost per R-value.
What is the tensile strength of EPS-15?
EPS-15 has a typical tensile strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi) — weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is EPS-15 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades). Hot-wire cutting or CNC hot-wire/router with sharp tools and vacuum extraction; avoid friction heat and use light passes to prevent bead pull-out.
Can EPS-15 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Not fusion-weldable in the plastics-welding sense — blocks are joined by steam fusion during molding, or bonded with water-based/hot-melt adhesives (never solvent adhesives).
What surface finishes work on EPS-15?
Coat with cement or acrylic skim coats, water-based paints or laminate facings; solvent paints, PU foam and hot bitumen (>90 °C) will attack the surface, and UV exposure demands prompt covering.
Can EPS-15 be formed, bent or molded?
Pre-expand beads with steam, age 6–24 h, then block or shape mold at 0.6–1.2 bar steam and 100–120 °C; allow post-mold drying/aging to stabilize dimensions (0.3–0.8 % shrinkage).
What is the maximum service temperature of EPS-15?
EPS-15 is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM C578 — Rigid, Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation — ASTM International (2022)
- EN 13163 — Thermal insulation products, factory made EPS — CEN (2016)
- Styropor / Neopor EPS technical information — BASF (2021)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.