Want to learn more about the various uses and features of HIPS Sheets? High Impact Polystyrene has many different uses and features that meet specific manufacturing needs.
Physical High Impact Polystyrene Properties and Uses
As one of the most produced polymers worldwide, High Impact Polystyrene is glasslike in texture and used for all sorts of materials including yogurt containers, plastic cutlery, salad bowls, refrigerator lining, medical industry trays, and electrical insulation.
HIPS Sheets are very affordable, and meet application needs such as low costs, machinability, easy to thermoform and print, and fully recyclable. It is not the plastic that should be used when strength and high impact features should be incorporated. It’s easy to mold and quite stable, however it does not have the high impact resistance of ABS – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.
These are the Physical Properties and Notes on HIPS Sheet material.
| UNITS | ASTM TEST | |
| Tensile strength @ 73°F | 2,480 – 4,520 psi | D638 |
| Flexural modulus @ 73°F | 193,000 – 381,000 psi | D790 |
| Izod impact (notched) | 1.2 – 2.8 ft-lbs/in of notch | D256 |
| Heat deflection temp. @ 264 psi | 160° – 189° F (71° – 87° C) | D648 |
| Water absorption – 24 hours – 1/8″ thick | 0.036 – 0.11% | D570 |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion | 5.0E-5 to 5.1E-5 (in/in/°F | D696 |