Molded expanded polystyrene[polystyrene?:cnc ps/polystyrene cutting machine] (MEPS) is a closed-cell material that can be molded into many everyday items, such as coffee cups and shipping materials, or into large sheets of foam board[foam board?:foam board] insulation. MEPS foam board insulation is commonly known as beadboard.
To make beadboard, loose, unexpanded polystyrene beads containing liquid pentane are mixed with a blowing agent and poured into an enclosed container. The mixture is heated to expand the beads many times their original size. The beads are then injected into a mold. Under more heat and pressure, they expand to become foam blocks, which are shaped as needed.
The physical properties of MEPS foam board vary with the type of bead used. It's manufactured at various densities, depending on the application. Beadboard for roofing materials has to be dense enough to walk on without damage; wall insulation foam boards are several times less dense than roof boards. R-values range from 3.8 to 4.4 per inch (2.54 cm) of thickness.
MEPS foam board is available with a variety of facings. Since spaces between the foam beads can absorb water, a vapor diffusion retarder is necessary if water transmission through the insulation might become a problem.
MEPS foam board also is often used as the insulation for structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulating concrete forms (ICFs).
One of CUTCNC[CUTCNC?:cutting machine sample maker manufacturer] cutting machine[cutting machine?:CUTCNC sample maker cutting machine] can be used to process foam board.
