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EPS Insulation (expanded polystyrene)

Common Product
MasterFormat 07 21 00 Thermal Insulation; 07 21 29 Sprayed Insulation

This information reflects our best understanding of product composition in 2019.

ASTM C578 defines expanded polystyrene (EPS) thermal insulation as a, "cellular plastic product manufactured from pre-expanded polystyrene beads subsequently molded into desired shapes and sizes resulting in a product which is rigid with...

More about EPS Insulation (expanded polystyrene)

ASTM C578 defines expanded polystyrene (EPS) thermal insulation as a, "cellular plastic product manufactured from pre-expanded polystyrene beads subsequently molded into desired shapes and sizes resulting in a product which is rigid with closed cellular structure." EPS foams fall into ASTM C578 Types I, II, VIII, IX, XI, XIV, and XV. Rigid EPS foam boards contain flame retardants, blowing agents, and some processing additives. This CP describes unfaced, rigid EPS foam insulation boards suitable for a range of insulating applications. Specialty boards may contain additional additives or facing materials. Potential additives include graphite, found in graphite polystyrene insulation (GPS), and insecticides for termite resistance which may be needed for certain applications in regions where termite infestation is “very heavy” according to building code. Insecticides, including disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and imidicloprid, add additional hazards. Some EPS insulation may contain pre-consumer recycled content at up to 10-20%.

In comments to the EPA in 2017, the industry association (EPS Industry Alliance) stated that their member resin manufacturers have completely transitioned away from the use of HBCD (a persistent, bioaccumulative, toxicant) as a flame retardant, typically in favor of the flame retardant listed here. These manufacturers supply resin for an estimated 80-85% of the EPS insulation manufactured in the United States. It is not clear whether any of the other 15-20% still contains HBCD.

A historical version of this CP is available here: https://www.pharosproject.net/material/show/2180347.

Name % Weight Whole Function GREENSCREEN® Sources
Polystyrene
9003-53-6
96.03% base resin Subscribe to view
benzene, ethenyl-, polymer with 1,3- butadiene, brominated
1195978-93-8
0.99% flame retardant Subscribe to view
Pentane
109-66-0
0.85% blowing agent Subscribe to view
CYCLOPENTANE
287-92-3
0.57% blowing agent Subscribe to view
Isopentane
78-78-4
0.57% blowing agent Subscribe to view
Tristearin
555-43-1
0.45% antistatic, lubricant Subscribe to view
Polyethylene
9002-88-4
0.30% nucleating agent Subscribe to view
Zinc stearate
557-05-1
0.14% antistatic, lubricant Subscribe to view
Styrene
100-42-5
0.10% residual monomer Subscribe to view
Name % Weight Part % Weight Whole Function GREENSCREEN® Sources
Polystyrene
9003-53-6
96.03% 96.03% base resin Subscribe to view
benzene, ethenyl-, polymer with 1,3- butadiene, brominated
1195978-93-8
0.99% 0.99% flame retardant Subscribe to view
Pentane
109-66-0
0.85% 0.85% blowing agent Subscribe to view
CYCLOPENTANE
287-92-3
0.57% 0.57% blowing agent Subscribe to view
Isopentane
78-78-4
0.57% 0.57% blowing agent Subscribe to view
Tristearin
555-43-1
0.45% 0.45% antistatic, lubricant Subscribe to view
Polyethylene
9002-88-4
0.30% 0.30% nucleating agent Subscribe to view
Zinc stearate
557-05-1
0.14% 0.14% antistatic, lubricant Subscribe to view
Styrene
100-42-5
0.10% 0.10% residual monomer Subscribe to view

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Known or Potential Residuals

Known or Potential Residuals for Chemical
CASRN NAME GREENSCREEN® TYPE FREQUENCY % Weight Chemical % Weight Product SOURCE
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Other Process Chemicals

CASRN NAME GREENSCREEN® TYPE FREQUENCY % WT CHEM % WT PRODUCT SOURCES
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HBN Resources (5)

HBN Resources for Product
TYPE TITLE
Report Full Disclosure Required: A Strategy to Prevent Asthma Through Building Product Selection
Report TSCA Workplan Chemicals Reports
Report Chlorine & Building Materials Project: Phase 1 Africa, The Americas, and Europe
Report Making Affordable Multifamily Housing More Energy Efficient: A Guide to Healthier Upgrade Materials
Tool Insulation Hazard Spectrum

Sources

Sources for Common Product Data
Source Uploaded Document Linked Document
Atlas Below grade SDS
Atlas EPS SDS
Atlas GPS EPD
Atlas GPS EPS
C578
Cellofoam SDS
Corbion Additive
Dyplast SDS
EPS Insulation EPD
EPS Recycled Content
EPS-IA Comments to EPA 2017
EPS-IA Comments to EPA 2018
Foam Control MAX SDS
Foam Control SDS
Foam Control with Perform Guard SDS
Harbor Foam data sheet
Harbor Foam SDS
Insulfoam SDS
Insulfoam SDS - historical
Insulfoam SDS - prior
Legerlite HPD
Malewska
Molders Association Technical Bulletin
Northwest Foam SDS
Palsgaard Additive
Patent EP2025700A1
Patent US6130265A
Raylite SDS
Vestowax