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high-impact polystyrene
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high-impact polystyrene

chemical compound
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High-impact polystyrene (HIPS) is a type of polystyrene, a rigid, transparent synthetic resin produced by the polymerization of styrene. Styrene is a liquid hydrocarbon with the chemical structure CH2=CHC6H5. The properties of polystyrene, such as its transparency and rigidity, are due to the pendant phenyl groups (C6H5) in its molecular structure, which prevent close packing of polymer chains.12

Polystyrene is widely used in the food-service industry for containers, utensils, and foamed cups. It is also blended with other polymers to enhance hardness and rigidity. To improve polystyrene's brittleness and impact strength, it is blended with 5 to 10 percent butadiene rubber, creating high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). This blend is suitable for products like toys and appliance parts.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. polystyrene
  2. major industrial polymers - Polystyrene (PS)

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