The key difference between Styrofoam and thermocol is that Styrofoam is an extruded polystyrene polymer, whereas thermocol is an expanded polystyrene.
Styrofoam and thermocol are important types of polymer materials having many uses and applications in different industries. Styrofoam is a trademark brand of polystyrene, while Thermocol is a thermoplastic polymer of styrene that is capable of being molded into objects.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Styrofoam
3. What is Thermocol
4. Styrofoam vs Thermocol in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Styrofoam vs Thermocol
What is Styrofoam?
Styrofoam is a trademark brand of polystyrene owned by The Dow Chemical Company. It falls under the category of closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam (XPS). This material has a light blue color. Styrofoam contains about 98% air, which makes it lightweight and buoyant.
When considering the uses of Styrofoam, it has many applications as a building material, in building insulation sheathing and pipe insulation. Moreover, we can use this material under roads and other structures to prevent soil disturbances due to freezing. Apart from that, we can use this material in structural insulated panels; these are used by florists in craft products.
Some claim Styrofoam to be carcinogenic. But there is limited evidence under EPA and International Agency for Research on Cancer to believe that styrene is carcinogenic for humans and experimental animals.
What is Thermocol?
Thermocol is a thermoplastic polymer of styrene that is capable of being molded into objects. This polymer material is formed from monomer styrene. The polymerization of styrene monomer results in the formation of polystyrene. Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer known as thermocol. It is useful in thermal insulation.
Thermocol can be categorized as an EPS (expanded polystyrene). It is usually derived from petroleum, similar to plastic. As an alternative to thermocol, we can use honeycomb paper. Moreover, thermocol is a good shock absorber that can absorb jerks from the external environment and can prevent it from breaking. Additionally, it is lightweight, durable, and resists moisture. Therefore, we can use this material to pack delicate items.
Thermocol is flammable. It is made of hydrocarbon-based resins named polystyrene. This material burns and can produce toxic fumes that can be highly dangerous to inhale. We can make it inflammable by applying a protective coating over the Thermocol to ensure it doesn’t catch fire upon exposure.
What is the Difference Between Styrofoam and Thermocol?
Styrofoam and thermocol are two brands of polystyrene. The key difference between Styrofoam and thermocol is that Styrofoam is an extruded polystyrene polymer, whereas thermocol is an expanded polystyrene. When considering the properties of these two materials, Styrofoam is rigid, brittle, relatively hard, and has excellent gamma radiation resistance, good electrical properties, and poor chemical and UV resistance, while thermocol is lightweight, durable, moisture-resistant, and can be moulded into different shapes and can work as a shock absorber.
Moreover, Styrofoam is useful in insulation, packaging, food containers, beverage cups, egg cartons, and disposable plates and trays, while thermocol is useful for making disposable trays, cups, packaging material, containers, insulation boards for floors, walls, and roofs, etc.
Below is a summary of the difference between Styrofoam and thermocol in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Styrofoam vs Thermocol
Styrofoam is a trademark brand of polystyrene, while thermocol is a thermoplastic polymer of styrene that is capable of being molded into objects. The key difference between Styrofoam and thermocol is that Styrofoam is an extruded polystyrene polymer, whereas thermocol is an expanded polystyrene.
Reference:
1. “What Is Thermocol Made up of? – Chemistry Q&A.” BYJU’S, 4 June 2021.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Have a Nice Day! styrofoam food container” By BrokenSphere – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Thermocol blocks” By RIT RAJARSHI – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia