Polystyrene is a polymer obtained from styrene . It is a material that is used in multiple ways.
Likewise, it is interesting that you know that the term polystyrene is a neologism used in the field of chemistry, fundamentally, which is the result of having united several elements from Latin and Greek. Specifically, it has been created with the Greek element "polys", which means "a lot"; the Latin noun "styrax", which refers to a type of tree from which resin is extracted; and the suffix "-ene", which is used to name different chemical compounds.
Before moving forward with the definition of polystyrene, it is necessary to clarify that styrene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon . This monomer is subjected to a polymerization process, through which a reaction is achieved so that its molecules combine and form others that repeat the structural units of the original ones.
Thus, polymerization converts styrene into a polymer : a chemical compound whose main characteristic is the repetition of its structural units. This polymer produced with styrene is called polystyrene.
Polystyrene is a thermoplastic element. This means that it is malleable when subjected to heat. It is possible to make different types of polystyrene, such as expanded polystyrene (known as styrofoam in some countries), high-impact polystyrene and crystal polystyrene , among others.
On an industrial level, the first polystyrene was produced in the 1930s in German territory. It was glass polystyrene. Then, as the years went by, the rest of the polystyrenes emerged.
Today polystyrene is among the most used plastics worldwide. Every year millions of tons are produced that are used to manufacture boxes or containers , thermal insulators , packaging and many other items.
In the same way, we cannot overlook the fact that polystyrene is currently widely used in the manufacture of household appliances, computers, food packaging, test tubes, egg cartons, insulation for ceilings and walls of homes... Not to mention However, it is also used to create seats for children.
Among the main advantages that polystyrene brings with it, we can highlight the following:
-It is very easy to sterilize, which is why it is widely used in the medical field to create all types of equipment and resources.
-It has a fairly affordable price.
-In the same way, we must not overlook that another aspect in favor of polystyrene is that it has a great insulation capacity, which is why it is used for the thermal insulation of buildings, refrigerators and even cold installations at level industrial.
-It is a resistant material and is especially resistant to water.
-Likewise, we must not forget that it is inert. What is meant by this is that it does not react to materials.
As is often the case with the rest of plastics, polystyrene that is thrown into the trash pollutes the environment , especially affecting marine ecosystems. The problem is serious since, according to experts, recycling polystyrene is not viable on a large scale, at least currently.