High-impact Polytyrene (HIPS)
Sometimes referred to by its many trade names, such as Styron®, and Lustrex®. HIPS is a low-cost plastic typically used for graphic art applications. It is a tough plastic, but easy to thermoform and fabricate, glue, print, and paint. Hips has excellent dimensional stability which offers ease of processing, high impact strength, and stiffness.
Common Uses
- Consumer products: Appliance components, toys, TV & audio-visual equipment parts, recording tape cassettes, bicycle trailer
- Automotive industry: Instrument panel & fittings, gasoline tank
- Food services: Hot & cold drinking cups
- Office products: Computer housings
General Properties
- Moderately impact resistant
- Can be painted
- Recyclable with good property retention
- Easily thermoformed
- FDA compliant grades available
- Good dimensional stability Good gloss
- Low volatility
- Poor UV Resistance
- Not suitable for Outdoor use
