Styrene (HIPS)

“HIPS” sheet is a thermoplastic, produced from Styrene monomers and various impact modifiers. It is available with a matt or high gloss surface. Excellent forming characteristics make it an ideal choice for vacuum forming, packaging and screen printing applications.

Product range

City Plastics carry a variety of standard sheet sizes and thicknesses, with an option of custom made sizes and colours available, which are subject to minimum order quantities.

Ex stock colours include black and whites in the standard finish of high gloss one side and matt the other. Special colours, surface finishes and UV additives are available, which are subject to a minimum order quantity.

Product features

Excellent thermoforming characteristics, good impact strength, approved – food safe, good rigidity and low temperature toughness, excellent printability.

Typical applications

Graphic arts, signs, packaging, cutlery trays, take away food containers, margarine tubs, cups and lids, point of sale displays.

Fabrication

Cutting & Guillotining

A circular saw blade with carbide teeth utilising the triple chip tooth design is preferred for thicker gauges. Laser cutting and routing are also successful. Other suitable methods for cutting Styrene sheet include guillotining and punching. Guillotining produces straight-edged cuts, while blanking dies and punches can produce a wide variety of shapes.

Drilling

For drilling, use conventional drill bits with the standard drill angles and a negative rake.

Forming

High impact polystyrene can be thermoformed using typical strip heating and vacuum forming equipment. No pre drying of the material is required.

Decorating

High impact polystyrene can be screen-printed using inks specifically formulated for HIPS. Vinyl graphics can also be applied using typical application methods.

Cementing

High impact polystyrene can be successfully bonded using Weldon 3 and 16.