POLYSTYRENE AND STYRENE COPOLYMERS.

Abstract

Styrenic-based polymers have evolved over the last 40 years into one of the major thermoplastics. The polystyrene family of polymers consists of polystyrene (PS), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), rubber modified PS (HIPS for high-impact polystyrene), and rubber modified SAN (ABS for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene). This article concentrates primarily on PS, SAN, HIPS, ABS, and SB block copolymers, and includes a discussion of history, chemistry of styrenic polymers, manufacturing processes, and applications.