1. WHAT IS XPS

They are foam materials with homogeneous cell structure, produced and used for thermal insulation. Polystyrene, which is the raw material of XPS, is drawn along the line at the desired thickness by the extrusion process. Thanks to this production, which is made under continuous computer control, a stable cell structure with the appearance of a homogeneous honeycomb is obtained. Cells are interconnected on all sides. Air is trapped inside the cells. With still dry air; The best known thermal insulation is provided.

The surface of the material coming out of the line is structured in accordance with the needs in detail where the material will be used as an armored or rough surface.

Thanks to this structure, Extruded Polystyrene materials (XPS) do not absorb water and are not affected by moisture and have a justified superiority when compared to other thermal insulation materials.

SUPERIOR FEATURES OF XPS:

• Low thermal conductivity value.
• Continuous and non-decreasing λ- thermal conductivity value thanks to its water absorption feature.
• Frost resistance.
• Thanks to its high compression and bending strength, its thickness does not decrease over time.
• High modulus of elasticity and dimensional stability.
• µ value suitable for the place of use thanks to optimum vapor diffusion resistance.
• XPS products can be recycled without mixing with other plastics.
• It can be cut with all kinds of cutting tools, does not crumble, does not give waste.
• It Has Closed Porous Cell Structure.

2. XPS HISTORY

The first Extruded Polystyrene Foam was produced in the USA in the early 1940's for on-demand floating rafts for military purposes. As a result of their intensive use, these products, which were noticed to be highly resistant to water and moisture, were also noticed with their thermal insulation technical features and their production continued for thermal insulation purposes. Extruded Polystyrene Foams, which started to be produced in Europe in the 1960s, have been used safely in all buildings and engineering structures for over 50 years. Today, the use of Extruded Polystyrene Foams all over the world is around 15-20 million m3 / year.

Domestic production in Turkey started in 1994. While the total production was 700,000 m3 / year in 2005, it was over 1,600,000 m3 / year in 2008. In parallel with the growth in the construction sector, an annual market growth of approximately 15-20% is realized. Market size in 2012 is over 3 million m3.

3. HOW XPS IS MADE

They are foam materials with homogeneous cell structure, produced and used for thermal insulation. XPS raw material polystyrene is produced as foam under constant pressure through a continuous extrusion process with the help of a blowing agent. The product, which is turned into a sheet with a closed cell structure, is subjected to surface treatment in accordance with the place of use.

It allows for the modification of XPS product specifications to meet various application requirements with variation of process parameters during manufacture. Foam density (20-50 kg/m3) and compressive strength values (100-500 kPa) can be obtained. The thermal conductivity calculation value is produced in groups of 0.030-0.035-0.040.

4. XPS QUALITY

In accordance with the CPD (Construction Product Directive) in the construction sector in the European community, and in accordance with the Construction Products Regulation in Turkey, XPS thermal insulation boards used in the construction sector must bear the CE mark. With the product test frequencies specified in accordance with TS EN 13164, CE marking must be applied by the manufacturer to meet the requirements for initial type testing (ITT) and factory production control (FPC).