Project Title: Expanded polystyrene
Selected for Scholarships 2011-12, Master of Sustainable Architecture, School of Design, IED Torino

Expanded polystyrene, known as styrofoam, is an environmentally friendly material that does not emit toxic to humans or the environment of substances.It acts as an insulation material that can greatly reduce energy consumption, has sound-proofing qualities.The main properties of polystyrene due to the fact that he was on 98% of air and gas, as is known, shows the lowest thermal conductivity. It is this quality penoplastirola not allow warm air in the room to interact with the cold outside the building, that is, locks the heat in the room.Its thermal conductivity is 3 times less than the thermal conductivity of wood or expanded clay, and 17.5 times lower than that of brick.Polystyrene foam thickness of 12 centimeters retains heat so efficiently as a brick wall, the thickness of 210 inches.In order to isolate high quality building from external noise, requires a layer of foam thickness of 2-3 centimeters.

Therefore, the greater the thickness, the better you will be able to reach sound proofing. It is also a waterproof material. The foam is absolutely indifferent to the effects of substances in the cement, roofing felt, asphalt, gypsum and lime. Also it does not lose its properties when exposed to mild acids and alkalis, does not react with ammonia, asphalt, soap massage, water-soluble adhesive paints, salt solutions and many other substances.Flammability – this is one of the most important characteristics, which must meet high quality building material. Expanded polystyrene does not support combustion, and its temperature is flashing almost two times higher than in wood.In addition, the combustion of the foam releases up to 8 times less energy than wood.

This means that the temperature of the flame when burning polystyrene below.The foam flammable only in direct contact with open flames. Upon the termination of exposure occurs in the flame retardancy for 4 seconds. These characteristics make it fireproof building material. The foam does not have a high density (50 times lower than that of water), but nevertheless, it exhibits excellent resistance to mechanical stress in uniform, as the tensile and compressive strength. It is able to withstand the pressure for years without being deformed without being destroyed and without changing its physical properties. A clear illustration can be its widespread use in the construction of runways. For example, polystyrene is able to maintain their initial thermal properties for decades without deformation and without losing its structure. It was also revealed that he is able to withstand short-term exposure to low (range -180 º C) and high (+95 º C) temperatures.Based on these material properties considered in the application of this interesting addition to the techniques of packaging and boxes that are of penoplast e installation, and after opening the package peneplaste becomes a waste!

I suggest you avoid the loss of such materials that are already prepared to make the form for interior.Those can be form part of the wall, which can become a decorative element, in addition to providing estetical room which is the best also for sound insulation.