Styrofoam Online by Panel Systems Limited

Buildings & Construction

In the demanding conditions of today’s building and engineering projects STYROFOAM™ blue extruded polystyrene boards can deliver the thermal performance and strength you require - for the lifetime of the structure. As a world-class producer of thermal insulation products, Dow can provide all the help, advice and information you need to achieve the solutions you’re looking for. Dow has developed STYROFOAM Solutions, for using STYROFOAM to maximum effect in a wide selection of typical application areas.

Applications:
››› low thermal conductivity - minimising the board thickness needed to achieve a specific U-value, thus allowing the designer greater flexibility.
››› high compressive strength - in load-bearing applications, the closed cell structure gives the foam
great rigidity and makes it highly resistant to compression.
››› low water absorption - STYROFOAM has natural resistance to rain, snow, frost and water vapour which makes it an exceptionally stable material, which retains its initial insulation performance and physical integrity in exposed conditions over the very long term. It was this unusual property that made possible the inverted warm roof concept, pioneered by Dow.
››› workability - STYROFOAM is easily worked with normal hand tools.
››› hygiene - STYROFOAM boards have low susceptibility to rot, mould or fungal growth is therefore minimised. They are clean, odourless and free from irritating dust.

Sandwich panels have found wide application as mainstream architectural components, but also in more specialised fields from clean-room linings to caravan and portable building construction; from UPVC window infill panels to conference room whiteboards; from lightweight doors to conservatory structures.

Laminated with materials such as aluminium, steel, wood and certain plastics, Styrofoam produces sandwich panels with excellent physical attributes including flexural strength, high rigidity, column strength and impact resistance. Its naturally high strength-to-weight ratio results in light but durable panels and its chemical stability and moisture resistance give it a high resistance to weathering and heat cycling. Styrofoam can be precisely hot-wire cut to customer specification, a process which is dust-free, leaving a surface in perfect condition for subsequent bonding.

An extensive test program has been carried out, including small-scale dynamic fatigue testing, panel surface temperature measurements, testing the effects of solar exposure and large-scale panel testing to failure. Results have confirmed that Styrofoam is a core material ideally suited to the temperatures of today's sandwich panel industry.

Portable Buildings

Close tolerance - Styrofoam can be supplied cut to accuracies of as close as 0.2mm.
Good bonding properties - Styrofoam is compatible with a wide range of lamination materials including steel, plywood, OSB, chipboard and GRP.
High structural strength - Styrofoam's high rigidity and strength provide a durable and resilient core for structural panels.
Lightweight but strong - A high ratio of mechanical strength to weight makes Styrofoam-cored panels ideal for optimum portability and on-site manageability.
Excellent thermal performance - Styrofoam provides a built-in, highly efficient insulation system for the building, making it capable of occupation immediately after erection.
High water and vapour resistance - Its closed cell structure resists moisture ingress and ice build-up, ensuring that dismantling of units can occur even at sub-zero temperatures.
Algae resistance - Styrofoam has high resistance to rotting and resists mould and fungal growth.

Whiteboards

Close tolerance - Styrofoam can be supplied cut to accuracies of 0.2mm, making it possible to supply boards of very thin section with good aesthetics.
Rugged but durable - The material provides a strong and rigid core with a high level of impact-resistance.
Excellent lamination properties - The smooth surface of the foam is completely dust-free thanks to the hot-wire cutting process, thus providing an optimum base for lamination.
Lightweight - Large boards can be handled and mounted with ease.

Door Panels

Excellent bonding properties - The smooth surface of the foam provides an optimum base for lamination.
Dust-free - The hot-wire cutting process results in clean, sharp profiles and produces no dust.
Close dimensional tolerance - Styrofoam can be supplied cut to accuracies of 0.2mm.
Structural strength - Styrofoam's high rigidity and strength give the door substance and durability with minimum weight.
High moisture resistance - The closed cell structure of extruded polystyrene foam minimises water absorption, protecting the door against damage or deterioration when exposed to damp conditions.
Excellent thermal performance - Styrofoam-insulated door panels will meet building regulations' thermal requirements.

Flat Panel Composites

Excellent bonding properties - The smooth surface of the foam provides an optimum base for lamination.
Dust-free - The hot-wire cutting process results in clean, sharp profiles and produces little dust.
Close dimensional tolerance - Styrofoam can be supplied cut to accuracies of 0.2mm.
Lightweight but strong - A high ratio of mechanical strength to weight gives excellent spanning capabilities.
High structural strength - Styrofoam combines high compressive, tensile, flexural and shear strength, contributing rigidity and resilience to the panel.
High moisture resistance - The closed cell structure of extruded polystyrene foam minimises water absorption, protecting the panel against damage or deterioration when exposed to damp conditions.