Expanded Polystyrene (EPS / Graphite EPS)
Romanian Technical Denomination: Polistiren Expandat (EPS / EPS Grafitat)
Rigid cellular plastic insulation material manufactured from expanded polystyrene beads containing 98% trapped air or infrared-reflecting graphite.
LEVEL 1: QUICK UNDERSTANDING (EXECUTIVE SUMMARY)
INVESTORS & DEVELOPERSRigid cellular plastic insulation material manufactured from expanded polystyrene beads containing 98% trapped air or infrared-reflecting graphite.
ETICS external wall thermal insulation systems (termosistem), Pitched roof rafters insulation and attic floor thermal layering
01. TECHNICAL OVERVIEW & ENGINEERING CHARACTERISTICS
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) compliant with SR EN 13163:2015. The standard ETICS facade insulation solution in Romania. Standard white EPS (EPS 80 / EPS 100) delivers thermal conductivity of 0.038-0.040 W/mK. Graphite-enhanced EPS incorporates infrared absorbers/reflectors, reducing thermal conductivity to 0.030-0.032 W/mK (20% superior thermal efficiency at identical thickness).
02. CONSTITUENTS & MANUFACTURING SPECIFICATION
- ▸Polymerized polystyrene beads with pentane blowing agent
- ▸Steam expansion process fusing beads into closed-cell block matrix
- ▸Graphite particle infusion for graphite EPS variant
✓ ADVANTAGES & STRENGTHS
- •Excellent thermal performance per unit cost
- •Extremely lightweight (15-20 kg/m³), placing negligible structural load on building envelope
- •High dimensional stability and easy cutting on site
- •Resistant to moisture damage in non-submerged facade applications
⚠ LIMITATIONS & RISK FACTORS
- •Combustible (Euroclass E); requires mineral wool fire barriers (brâuri din vată minerală) per Romanian Normativ P118/2
- •Poor acoustic sound insulation performance compared to mineral wool
- •Vulnerable to UV degradation and extreme surface solar overheating during installation (especially graphite EPS)