Styrenics Resin (GPPS, HIPS, SAN, ABS)
Summary
TOYO and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (MITSUI) have been jointly promoted the R&D and the licensing of TOYO-MITSUI PS PROCESS based on the continuous bulk polymerization technology. TOYO-MITSUI PS PROCESS covers all of styrenics resins, i.e., 1) General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS), an amorphous, colorless polymer of styrene as sole monomer, 2) High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), a graft polymer in which synthetic rubber is chemically bonded to GPPS resulting in having impact strength, 3) Styrene Acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), a copolymer of styrene and acrylonitrile resulting in having chemical resistance, and 4) Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Resin (ABS) that has both impact strength derived from poly-butadiene rubber and chemical resistance derived from acrylonitrile.
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GPPS: General Purpose Polystyrene
HIPS: High Impact Polystyrene
SAN: Styrene Acrylonitrile Copolymer
ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Resin
Feature
TOYO-MITSUI PS PROCESS, a continuous bulk polymerization process having specially designed reactor and devolatilizer using thermal initiation polymerization and precise control of the degree of polymerization as basic technologies, has the following feature.
- Simple process scheme and compact plant layout.
- Simple and easy operation with less grade change time
- Environmental friendly
- Less wastes
- Stable operation and appropriate countermeasures for emergency
- Low raw materials/utilities consumption
Especially the ABS process is an environment-friendly process compared with the competent technology in terms of negligible amount of acrylonitrile in the waste water.
 Transparent Styrenics Process Scheme (GPPS or SAN) |
 Rubber Based Styrenics Process Scheme (HIPS or ABS) |
Product Properties and Applications
GPPS: General Purpose Polystyrene
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General purpose polystyrene (GPPS) is one of the most widely used kinds of plastic that has excellent transparency, high stiffness and excellent moldability (injection, extrusion, foam molding, etc.). GPPS is used for disposable cups, case for a box lunch and a household dishes, confectionary tray, package, CD cases, container for a seasoning, various films, etc. |
GPPS for Conventional Grades has the following features:
- Moldings of excellent transparency and beautiful color and appearance
- Excellent processability with high production efficiency
- Superior electrical and mechanical properties
GPPS for High Performance Grades has the following features:
- Super high molecular weight (over MW: 320,000)
- Wide range moldability and highly improved mechanical properties
- Uses for specific purpose such as:
- Large-sized moldings
- Complex-shaped moldings
- Thin-walled moldings
- Foam extrusion moldings
- Biaxially oriented polystyrene sheet (B.O.P.S)
HIPS: High Impact Polystyrene
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High impact polystyrene (HIPS) is a tough plastic that has excellent impact strength, high stiffness and excellent Moldability but reduced transparency. HIPS is used for household appliances (TV housings, exterior of air-conditioner, etc.), office automation apparatus (housing for a copying machine, printer, etc.), toys, housewares, frozen food tray, bottles for a lactic acid drink, cups for ice cream, yogurt, tofu, etc. |
HIPS, a graft-type polymer of styrene and synthetic rubber, produced by the TOYO-MITSUI PS PROCESS has the following features:
- Well-balanced mechanical properties with high impact and excellent flexural strength
- Super high impact
- High gloss with toughness
- Medium-impact with high heat resistance
- Applicable to Flame-retardant grade
- Excellent processability
SAN: Styrene Acrylonitrile Copolymer
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Styrene acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) has excellent transparency and chemical resistance. SAN is mostly used as raw material of ABS. Other than it, SAN is used for disposable cigarette lighter, grip of toothbrush, container part of juicer and mixer, etc. |
SAN produced by the TOYO-MITSUI PS PROCESS has the following features:
- High clarity
- Moldings of very beautiful color, tone and gloss
- Excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance
- High tensile strength and hardness
- Good dimensional stability
- Low residual monomers
- Excellent compatibility with grafted ABS powder
ABS: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Resin
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Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS) has excellent rigidity and is resistant to stretch, bend, impact, etc. and has excellent heat/cold resistance and chemical resistance. ABS is also suitable for plating, easy to be colored, and is able to make molded products with gloss. ABS is used for automotive parts, housewares, miscellaneous goods, a coffee mill, parts of coffee-maker, refrigerator, and microwave oven, a thermos bottle, a pump pot, a water-purifying device, a measure cup for rice bin, lacquered ware, etc. |
ABS produced by the continuous bulk polymerization process can produce the High Stiffness and Medium Impact types, and both are suitable for applications such as housings for office automation equipment or home appliance, automotive parts and building material. The physical properties of the resins are very stable thanks to the continuous polymerization process and because an emulsifier is not used. This process also maintains the resin’s natural color so that subsequent coloring is easy and uniform. Furthermore, long-time operation is possible in injection molding thanks to the less contamination in a mold.
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