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HIPS
- High impact strength
- Rigid
- Popular for packaging food and pharmaceuticals
Best Used With
Overview
HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene), also known as PS (Polystyrene), is an amorphous thermoplastic material, used in lower heat applications. It is categorized as a standard material, and offers ease of processing, high impact strength, and stiffness.
High Impact Polystyrene is impact resistant at the cost of not being naturally clear or transparent. It can be easily painted on and glued. It has economical and easy manufacturability but is generally more expensive than GPPS. HIPS has a matte finish and is a preferred material for thermoforming.
Lower melting temperature for excellent thermoforming properties. Very versatile. High impact protection. Good stiffness and highly rigid material. Commonly used for food packaging and trays for medical devices.
Plastic Recycling Chart
| Resin Identification Code |  |
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| Abbreviation | PET or PETE | HDPE | PVC | LDPE | PP | PS | OTHER | PLA |
| Polymer Name | Polyethylene Terephthalate | High-Density Polyethylene | Polyvinyl Chloride | Low-Density Polyethylene | Polypropylene | Polystyrene | All Other Plastics | Polylactic Acid |
| Recyclable | Commonly Recycled | Commonly Recycled | Somethims Recycled | Somethims Recycled | Occasionally Recycled | Commonly Recycled (but diffcult to do) | Difficult to Recycle | Compostable |
| % Recycled Annually | 36% | 30~35% | <1% | 6% | 3% | 34% | Low | Low |
| Time to Decompose | 5~10 years | 100 years | never | 500~1000 years | 20~30 years | 50 years | never | 6 months |
| Toxicity Level | High | Low | High | Low | Low | High | High | – |
| Max Temperature | 70°C (158°F) | 120°C (248°F) | 70°C (158°F) | 80°C (176°F) | 135°C (275°F) | 90°C (194°F) | 135°C (275°F) | 150°C (302°F) |
| Brittleness Temperature | -40°C (-40°F) | -100°C (-148°F) | -30°C (-22°F) | -100°C (-148°F) | 0°C (32°F) | -20°C (-4°F) | -135°C (-211°F) | 60°C (140°F) |