SABIC® Styrene Monomer (SM)

Description

Styrene (vinyl benzene, styrene monomer SM) is a colorless to yellowish oily liquid with a distinctive aromatic odor. It is sparingly soluble in water but soluble in alcohols, ethers and carbon disulfide. This valuable monomer is flammable, reactive and toxic. Styrene Monomer is a light liquid. It has a low vapor pressure and high refractive index. It is chemically reactive and undergoes polymerization readily (by heat, light or peroxide catalysts). Polymerization results in volumetric shrinkage (17%) and exothermic heat (17.8 Kcal/mole).

Applications

Styrene Monomer is most commonly used in the production of valuable styrene homopolymers and copolymers, which are either solid (SPS) or expandable (EPS). Some SPS grades are used for the production of disposable transparent containers and EPS grades are useful in the fabrication of blocks for thermal insulation and boxes for vegetables and fruits. High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is polystyrene blended with rubber for better mechanical properties useful in the production of dairy products, packaging materials and sheets.The copolymers of SM with butadiene and/or acrylonitrile create valuable products combining characteristics of synthetic rubbers and strong plastics.