Manufacturing Process for XPS Insulation

The process makes the difference.

Many of the advantages of extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) are due to the extrusion manufacturing process employed.

XPS Manufacturing Process

XPS foam begins as a solid polystyrene resin granule. The granules are fed into an extruder where they are melted and critical additives are mixed with the viscous fluid that is formed.

Then, a blowing agent is injected to make the mixture foamable. Under carefully controlled heat and pressure conditions, the foamable mixture is forced through a die, at which time foaming and shaping occurs. The rigid foam is then trimmed to the final product dimensions.

OTHER POLYSTYRENE FOAM CELLULAR STRUCTURE	XPS FOAM STRUCTURE

This continuous process produces a consistent quality foam product with a closed-cell structure that looks like a mass of uniform bubbles with common walls between them. Close inspection will reveal that there are few, if any, voids between the cells and that a continuous smooth skin, top and bottom, has been formed.

While All XPS manufacturers use the general process described above, each practices its own unique technology to produce the properties described elsewhere in this brochure. All processes provide for consistent production and reliable properties.

XPS foam insulating materials are available in either rigid boardstock or fanfold sheet versions and in a wide range of sizes and thickness that are ideally suited to a variety of construction applications.