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Sheet extruder Goex Corp. (Janesville, WI) says it has developed polystyrene-based alloys that are designed to serve as cost-effective, performance-driven alternatives to polyvinyl chloride. Like high-impact polystyrene, the alloys are less dense than PVC, but they also offer performance advantages that HIPS often lacks.
Matt Defosse
August 5, 2009
1 Min Read
.svg?width=850&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale "PS-alloy sheet marketed as PVC replacement")
Sheet extruder Goex Corp. (Janesville, WI) says it has developed polystyrene-based alloys that are designed to serve as cost-effective, performance-driven alternatives to polyvinyl chloride. Like high-impact polystyrene, the alloys are less dense than PVC, but they also offer performance advantages that HIPS often lacks.
Bob Waddell, VP of sales and marketing for Goex.Sheet made of the alloys is marketed under the company’s Styrex brand and is available in different grades, including 490 Clear and 690 White general-purpose sheet designed for graphic arts and thermoform applications. The Styrex 690 grade is marketed for surface-printed plastic sheet applications. For plastic cards, cards that require embossing, or other demanding applications, the Styrex 720 (white) grade is available.Bob Waddell, VP of sales and marketing for Goex, was quite open about the processor’s marketing angle. “Although we believe that much of the negativity about PVC is exaggerated, the bottom line is that customer perception is what we accept as market reality,” he said. “We’re not in business to determine the merits of PVC, or any other resin for that matter. Our goal is simply to offer our customers that want a PVC alternative another aisle to shop.” PVC is in fact among the materials that Goex processes.High-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and other styrenics offer density savings versus PVC and thus more yield per pound (or kg), but HIPS’ mechanical performance is not on a par with PVC’s. According to Goex, sheet extruded form the new alloys change the performance comparison, because they offer better toughness and are easier to cut than standard HIPS,
while also maintaining PS’s yield benefit. —[email protected]
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