1. Some items with similar names are often confusing. Although EPS, EPE, EPO and EPP have similar names, they have different characteristics and applications.
First, let's learn about EPS, which is a lightweight polymer. Its full name is polystyrene foam. This material is not unfamiliar in our daily life. For example, when buying home appliances, the inside of the box is usually filled with some white foam as a cushioning material. These foams are EPS. In addition, EPS foam is also widely used in many fields such as building insulation, packaging of frozen daily necessities, and industrial casting. However, in the current context of advocating low-carbon and environmental protection, due to the relatively long natural decomposition cycle of EPS foam, the country has gradually restricted its use.
2. EPE, commonly known as pearl cotton, its full name is polyethylene foam. This material is not only environmentally friendly, but also a new type of innovative material. It has a wide range of applications, covering many fields such as car seat cushions, pillows, electronic appliances, instruments, computer audio, medical equipment, industrial control chassis, hardware lighting, handicrafts, glass ceramics, home appliances, spraying, alcohol and resin. In addition, EPE pearl cotton is also often used in the packaging of high-end fragile gifts, such as hardware products, toys, fruits, leather shoes, as well as daily necessities packaging and express packaging. It can be said that the packaging industry is one of the main application areas of EPE pearl cotton. The white, soft and unbreakable foam packaging we often see is often the masterpiece of EPE pearl cotton.
3. EPO, as a fusion product of expanded polystyrene and polyethylene, is a copolymer refined by a unique polymerization process.
EPO, which is a fine combination of 30% polyethylene and 70% polystyrene, not only combines the dual advantages of EPE and EPE, but also shows excellent cushioning performance. Its tear resistance, scratch resistance and fragmentation resistance make it an ideal choice for model aircraft production.
EPP, an environmentally friendly material made of polypropylene foam, is widely used in many fields such as toys, automobiles and packaging industries. It has excellent performance, not only outstanding environmental performance, but also excellent safety performance. In daily life, we can see EPP products everywhere, such as common lazy sofas and incubators, which usually show excellent resilience or have high toughness and strength.
Next, we will explore the specific applications of EPP in various fields. This material plays an indispensable role in many industries, including toys, automobiles and packaging. Its outstanding performance, such as environmental protection and safety, makes EPP an ideal choice for these industries. Whether it is lazy sofas, incubators, or various other EPP products in our daily life, they fully demonstrate their excellent resilience, toughness and strength.
4. The packaging industry is one of the important application areas of EPP materials.
In the packaging industry, EPP is often used to protect valuable items such as computers, advanced medical equipment, precision instruments, as well as fragile or high-value items such as audio-visual materials, cameras, and liquid crystal glass. Its excellent cushioning performance and environmental protection characteristics make EPP an ideal choice for protecting these items.
5. The automotive industry is also an important application field for EPP materials.
In automobile manufacturing, EPP is often used to make bumpers, side shockproof cores, door shockproof cores and other parts. It can also be used in the manufacture of advanced safety car seats, tool boxes, trunks, etc. In addition, EPP materials are often used in automobile internal components such as armrests, bottom pads, sun visors and dashboards. Statistics show that EPP materials currently account for a certain proportion of the average amount of plastic used in each car.
6. Application of structural parts in the electronics industry
In the electronics industry, EPP plastics also play an important role. For example, the linings of refrigerators and air conditioners, the upper and lower tailstocks of solar water heaters, and the linings of communication equipment are often made of EPP materials. These structural parts not only have excellent seismic resistance, but also can effectively reduce the weight of the equipment and improve the overall performance of the product.
7. Application in the logistics and transportation industry
In the field of logistics and transportation, EPP plastics also show their unique value. For example, EPP protective partitions, EPP pallets, EPP trays, and EPP turnover boxes are all designed to meet various needs in logistics and transportation. These products can not only effectively protect goods, but also improve transportation efficiency and reduce logistics costs.
8. Application of toy models and sports goods
In addition, EPP plastics have also shined in the field of toy models and sports goods. Toy models such as airplane models and ship models, as well as sports helmets, surfboards, floating barrels, sports mats and other sports goods are widely made of EPP materials. These products are not only safe and environmentally friendly, but also have excellent seismic resistance, which can provide all-round protection for children and athletes.
9. Application in the construction industry
EPP plastics also show their excellent performance in the construction field. Due to its low thermal conductivity, low water vapor permeability, high energy absorption and good compressibility, EPP plastics are very suitable for filling gaps on uneven surfaces. For example, it can be used as a filler in roofs, walls, concrete slabs and highway expansion joints, acting as a sealant retainer and sealing strip. In addition, EPP foam board can reduce the loss of heat and moisture, thus promoting the solidification of concrete. In ordinary construction, EPP foam plastic is often used as roofing padding material, and its low thermal conductivity helps to reduce the sound transmission between multi-story buildings.