Polystyrene Foam
The best adhesive for Polystyrene Foam is typically Liquid Nails, with good bond strength. As a foam material, Polystyrene Foam has unique bonding characteristics that require specific adhesive selection. Polystyrene Foam has low surface energy, which makes it challenging to bond without proper surface preparation or specialized adhesives. Common applications include packaging,insulation,cups.
Bonding Polystyrene Foam requires understanding its unique surface properties and chemical characteristics. As a foam material, Polystyrene Foam presents specific challenges that can be overcome with the right adhesive selection and proper surface preparation techniques. This comprehensive guide provides expert recommendations, bond strength data, and step-by-step instructions to achieve strong, durable bonds with Polystyrene Foam.
Material Properties & Characteristics
Polystyrene Foam exhibits low surface energy, which requires specialized adhesives or surface treatments to achieve reliable bonding. The high nature of Polystyrene Foam presents bonding considerations that depend on surface preparation and adhesive selection. As a rigid material, Polystyrene Foam benefits from rigid adhesives that provide maximum structural strength and dimensional stability. The low chemical resistance of Polystyrene Foam requires adhesives compatible with its chemical composition and environmental exposure conditions. Understanding these fundamental properties is essential for selecting the appropriate adhesive and surface preparation method.
Surface Preparation Best Practices
Achieving strong, durable bonds with Polystyrene Foam depends heavily on proper surface preparation. Low surface energy materials like this require thorough cleaning with solvents such as isopropyl alcohol to remove oils, fingerprints, and contaminants that can interfere with adhesion. Surface activation techniques including flame treatment, corona discharge, or plasma treatment may be necessary to increase surface energy and improve wetting by adhesives. Ensure surfaces are at room temperature (15-25°C or 60-80°F) for optimal bonding conditions. Temperature extremes can affect adhesive flow, wetting, and cure times. Apply adhesive within minutes of surface preparation to prevent recontamination from dust, moisture, or oils. Proper surface preparation significantly improves bond strength, durability, and long-term performance.
Why Polystyrene Foam Requires Special Attention to Bond
Low Surface Energy
Materials with low surface energy resist wetting by adhesives, making mechanical bonding difficult. Surface treatments like corona discharge, plasma treatment, or primers are often necessary.
Surface Preparation Guide
Proper surface preparation is critical for achieving strong, durable bonds with Polystyrene Foam. Follow these steps:
- Clean surfaces with isopropyl alcohol to remove oils and contaminants
- Consider flame treatment or plasma surface activation to increase surface energy
- Use adhesion promoters or primers designed for low-energy surfaces
- Ensure surfaces are at room temperature (60-80°F) for optimal bonding
- Apply adhesive within minutes of surface preparation for best results
Basic Information
Category
foam
Surface Energy
low
Surface Type
semi-porous
Flexibility
rigid
Porosity
high
Chemical Resistance
low
Chemical Information
CAS Number
9003-53-6
Trade Names
Styrofoam
Aliases
eps,expanded polystyrene
Chemical Composition
- expanded polystyrene (2-5%)
- air (95-98%)
Common Uses
packaging,insulation,cups