Applications
EPP is being used increasingly in applications both in Australia and overseas, particularly in the automotive industry where a ‘common’ polymer type is preferred in order to make the recycling of vehicles easier in the future. Polypropylene is widely used in vehicle bumpers, interior trim parts, wheel liners, and carpet yarns.
EPP is fast becoming a material of first choice for lightweight, high performance, chemical resistance and sound improvement properties.
Locally, RMAX EPP has been used in computer packaging, automotive packaging dunnage and surfboard cores.
RMAX is the largest supplier of EPP in the Australian EPP market.
Material Comparison of Some Mouldable Expanded Engineering Foams
| Item | PP
| PE
| PS
| PE / PS
| PS / PPO
|
| Compressive strength | Good | Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good |
| Repeated compression strength | Good | Very Good | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| Tensile strength | Very Good | Very Good | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| Flame resistance | Very Good | Good | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| Heat resistance | Very Good | Good | Poor | Poor | Good |
| Thermal deformation | Very Good | Good | Poor | Medium | Medium |
| Chemical resistance | Very Good | Very Good | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| Weather resistance | Very Good | Very Good | Poor | Medium | Poor |
| Dimensional stability | Very Good | Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good |
| Frictional noise | Very Good | Very Good | Poor | Poor | Poor |
EPP Chemical Resistance
Test method: Dropped 0.3 - 0.5ml of each chemical reagent on the test piece surface and held sample for 4 hours. Wiped with a cloth and observed the surface appearance.
Criterion: No significant impact.
| Reagent | Density 60 g/l | Density 30 g/l
|
| Petrol | none | none |
| Light oil | none | none |
| Engine oil | none | none |
| Transmission fluid | none | none |
| Grease | none | none |
| 3%Sol. H²SO | none | none |
| Paint protection agent | none | none |
| Car wax | none | none |
| Window washer solution | none | none |
| Soap | none | none |
| Paint primer | none | none |
Moisture Resistance
Test method: After maintaining the test piece at 50ºC, 98%RH for 48 hours the test piece is held at room temperature, 60%Relative Humidity for 24 hours and observed for any change.
Criterion: No significant impact on test piece.
Test results: Density 60g/l and 30g/l – No change of its appearance, test piece dimensions and physical properties.
Water Absorption
Test method: The test piece (100mm x 100mm x 50mm) is held in water at 50mm depth using mesh. After keeping it for 24 hours, it is placed into + 95% solution of alcohol for 5 seconds and dried for 5 minutes with 60ºC air and measured its weight. Observed for appearance change and calculated coefficient of water absorption.
Criterion: No significant impact.
| Test Criteria | Density 60 g/l | Density 30 g/l |
| Appearance change | none | none |
| Dimensional change | none | none |
| Coefficient of water absorption | 0.0005g/cm3 | 0.006g/cm3 |
EPP Automotive Focus
