Styrofoam
Encyclopedia
Styrofoam is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company for closed-cell currently made for thermal insulation
and craft applications. In 1941, researchers in Dow's Chemical Physics Lab found a way to make foamed polystyrene. Led by Ray McIntire
, they "rediscovered" a method first discovered by Swedish
inventor Carl Georg Munters.
Dow acquired exclusive rights to use Munters' patents and found ways to make large quantities of extruded polystyrene as a closed cell foam that resists moisture.
Because of its insulating properties and buoyancy, it was adopted in 1942 by the United States Coast Guard
for use in a six-person life raft.
Styrofoam has since found an immense variety of uses. Dow produces Styrofoam building materials, including insulated sheathing and pipe insulation. The claimed R-value
of Styrofoam insulation is five per inch. Styrofoam insulation has been used in many notable buildings and facilities in North America.
Dow also produces Styrofoam as a structural material for use by florists and in craft products. Dow insulation Styrofoam has a distinctive blue color; Styrofoam for craft applications is available in white and green.
Styrofoam can be used under roads and other structures to prevent soil disturbances due to freezing and thawing.
In the United States
and Canada
, the word styrofoam is often incorrectly used as a generic term
for expanded (not extruded) polystyrene foam, such as disposable coffee cups, coolers, or cushioning material in packaging, which are typically white and are made of expanded polystyrene beads. This is a different material from the extruded polystyrene used for Styrofoam insulation. The polystyrene foam used for craft applications, which can be identified by its roughness and by the fact that it "crunches" when cut, is moderately soluble in many organic solvents, cyanoacrylate, and the propellants and solvents of spray paint, and is not specifically identified as expanded or extruded.
The production of one ton of styrofoam requires 685 gallons of oil, and emits 94,119/20,000 tons of CO2 and 2,055.8 tons of greenhouse gases.
.
Thermal insulation
Thermal insulation is the reduction of the effects of the various processes of heat transfer between objects in thermal contact or in range of radiative influence. Heat transfer is the transfer of thermal energy between objects of differing temperature...
and craft applications. In 1941, researchers in Dow's Chemical Physics Lab found a way to make foamed polystyrene. Led by Ray McIntire
Ray McIntire
Otis Ray McIntire was born in Gardner, Kansas on August 24, 1918. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.S. degree in engineering in 1940, he went to work as a research engineer for The Dow Chemical Company. During World War II, when rubber was in short supply, McIntire’s work...
, they "rediscovered" a method first discovered by Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
inventor Carl Georg Munters.
Dow acquired exclusive rights to use Munters' patents and found ways to make large quantities of extruded polystyrene as a closed cell foam that resists moisture.
Because of its insulating properties and buoyancy, it was adopted in 1942 by the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
for use in a six-person life raft.
Styrofoam has since found an immense variety of uses. Dow produces Styrofoam building materials, including insulated sheathing and pipe insulation. The claimed R-value
R-value (insulation)
The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry. Under uniform conditions it is the ratio of the temperature difference across an insulator and the heat flux through it or R = \Delta T/\dot Q_A.The R-value being discussed is the unit thermal resistance...
of Styrofoam insulation is five per inch. Styrofoam insulation has been used in many notable buildings and facilities in North America.
Dow also produces Styrofoam as a structural material for use by florists and in craft products. Dow insulation Styrofoam has a distinctive blue color; Styrofoam for craft applications is available in white and green.
Styrofoam can be used under roads and other structures to prevent soil disturbances due to freezing and thawing.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the word styrofoam is often incorrectly used as a generic term
Genericized trademark
A genericized trademark is a trademark or brand name that has become the colloquial or generic description for, or synonymous with, a general class of product or service, rather than as an indicator of source or affiliation as intended by the trademark's holder...
for expanded (not extruded) polystyrene foam, such as disposable coffee cups, coolers, or cushioning material in packaging, which are typically white and are made of expanded polystyrene beads. This is a different material from the extruded polystyrene used for Styrofoam insulation. The polystyrene foam used for craft applications, which can be identified by its roughness and by the fact that it "crunches" when cut, is moderately soluble in many organic solvents, cyanoacrylate, and the propellants and solvents of spray paint, and is not specifically identified as expanded or extruded.
Environmental concerns
Styrofoam is mostly uneconomical to recycle or otherwise process environmentally unless in massive quantities, and can be lethal to any bird or sea creature that swallows significant quantities.The production of one ton of styrofoam requires 685 gallons of oil, and emits 94,119/20,000 tons of CO2 and 2,055.8 tons of greenhouse gases.
.
See also
- List of generic and genericized trademarks
- PolystyrenePolystyrenePolystyrene ) also known as Thermocole, abbreviated following ISO Standard PS, is an aromatic polymer made from the monomer styrene, a liquid hydrocarbon that is manufactured from petroleum by the chemical industry...
- Structural insulated panelStructural insulated panelStructural insulated panels , SIPs, are a composite building material. They consist of an insulating layer of rigid polymer foam sandwiched between two layers of structural board...
- Resin identification codeResin identification codeThe SPI resin identification coding system is a set of symbols placed on plastics to identify the polymer type. It was developed by the Society of the Plastics Industry in 1988, and is used internationally....
- Building insulationBuilding insulationbuilding insulation refers broadly to any object in a building used as insulation for any purpose. While the majority of insulation in buildings is for thermal purposes, the term also applies to acoustic insulation, fire insulation, and impact insulation...
- National Inventors Hall of FameNational Inventors Hall of FameThe National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
- StyrophoneStyrophoneA styrophone is an acoustic device made from expanded polystyrene foam . There are at least two varieties:* an acoustic musical instrument* a type of loudspeaker...