EPS 150 GEOFOAM
Grade
EN 13163 EPS150
GEOFOAM = lightweight fill block equivalent
Large sawn blocks for embankment fill, bridge approaches and load reduction over utilities, specified by compressive resistance at 1 % and 10 % strain.
Values for the GEOFOAM condition
Other EPS 150 grades and fills
EPS 150 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at EPS 150.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STD-FRDefault Standard white flame-retarded EPS 150 board | Default construction board: CE-marked EN 13163 EPS150 with polymeric brominated FR, for roofs, floors and walls. | 0.15 | 0.3 | 2 | — |
graphite/IR-absorber enhanced grey EPS 150 | Pick when the same 150 kPa strength is needed at 8–12 % lower λ or thinner build-up; grey boards need shading during installation. | 0.15 | 0.29 | 1.8 | — |
Non-flame-retarded (packaging / industrial) EPS at 150 kPa strength | Cheaper FR-free beads for packaging, moulds, void formers and non-building uses where no fire class is required. | 0.15 | 0.3 | 2 | — |
GEOFOAMThis page Lightweight fill block equivalent | Large sawn blocks for embankment fill, bridge approaches and load reduction over utilities, specified by compressive resistance at 1 % and 10 % strain. | 0.16 | 0.32 | 2 | — |
perimeter / inverted-roof grade with reduced water uptake | Choose for below-grade and inverted-roof service: tighter fusion and grooved/skinned faces cut long-term water absorption and add drainage. | 0.17 | 0.33 | 2 | — |
What is EPS 150 GEOFOAM?
EPS 150 GEOFOAM is EPS 150 in the GEOFOAM grade — large sawn blocks for embankment fill, bridge approaches and load reduction over utilities, specified by compressive resistance at 1 % and 10 % strain. EPS 150 GEOFOAM has a yield strength of 0.16 MPa (0.0232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.32 MPa (0.0464 ksi) — weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0015 Msi). EPS 150 GEOFOAM has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0011 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F). STD-FR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GEOFOAM is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0011 lb/in³), better than 94% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 78% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 0.16 MPa (0.0232 ksi), worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 12/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.03 W/m·K (0.0196 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of polymer grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 58/100, worse than 92% of polymer grades
EPS 150 GEOFOAM properties
Typical room-temperature values for EPS 150 GEOFOAM; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EPS 150 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
EPS 150 GEOFOAM has a density of 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0011 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Mechanical12
EPS 150 GEOFOAM has a yield strength of 0.16 MPa (0.0232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.32 MPa (0.0464 ksi) — weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0015 Msi).
Thermal9
EPS 150 GEOFOAM is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.03 W/m·K (0.0196 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 65 µm/m·K (36.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
EPS 150 GEOFOAM has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 92% of polymer grades. UV resistance is not recommended.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EPS 150 GEOFOAM takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 3.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 70% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability5
EPS 150 GEOFOAM's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 92% of polymer grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EPS 150 GEOFOAM
Is EPS 150 easy to machine?
Cut with hot wire, hot knife or fine-tooth band saw; routing and CNC hot-wire shaping are easy but generate static-charged beads that need extraction.
Can EPS 150 be welded?
No true welding — blocks are fused in the steam mould; on site joints are butt/lap taped or bonded with solvent-free (water- or PU-based) adhesive, never solvent or hot bitumen.
Can EPS 150 be formed, bent or molded?
Pre-expand beads with steam, age in silos, then block- or shape-mould at ~105–125 °C steam; block density is set to hit the 150 kPa compressive class before sawing to boards.
What surface finishes work on EPS 150?
Faces take cement- or polymer-modified renders, EIFS/ETICS mesh coats, gypsum boards and factory-laminated facings; must be shielded from UV, solvents and temperatures above ~80 °C.
EPS 150 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| pentane (residual blowing agent)decreases with ageing/conditioning of blocks | 0.2 – 2 | 1 |
| polymeric brominated flame retardant (PoHBCD replaced since 2015; absent in NON-FR variant | 0.4 – 1.5 | 0.8 |
| graphite (IR absorber)GRAPHITE variant only | 0 – 4 | 2.5 |
| processing additives (nucleant, antistat | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| polystyrene (styrene homopolymer)solid polymer skeleton; foam is >95 vol % air | ≥ 94 (balance) | — |
EPS 150 GEOFOAM — frequently asked
What is EPS 150 GEOFOAM used for?
EPS 150 GEOFOAM is typically used for inverted roof insulation, parking area and deck insulation, loaded floor insulation under screed, perimeter and below-slab edge insulation, geofoam lightweight fill blocks and external wall insulation (ETICS) boards. In short: 150 kPa structural EPS class; lower lambda than EPS 100; geofoam-capable strength.
What is the yield strength of EPS 150 GEOFOAM?
EPS 150 GEOFOAM has a typical yield strength of 0.16 MPa (0.0232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.32 MPa (0.0464 ksi) — weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is EPS 150 GEOFOAM easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 92% of polymer grades). Cut with hot wire, hot knife or fine-tooth band saw; routing and CNC hot-wire shaping are easy but generate static-charged beads that need extraction.
Can EPS 150 GEOFOAM be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). No true welding — blocks are fused in the steam mould; on site joints are butt/lap taped or bonded with solvent-free (water- or PU-based) adhesive, never solvent or hot bitumen.
What surface finishes work on EPS 150 GEOFOAM?
Faces take cement- or polymer-modified renders, EIFS/ETICS mesh coats, gypsum boards and factory-laminated facings; must be shielded from UV, solvents and temperatures above ~80 °C.
Can EPS 150 GEOFOAM be formed, bent or molded?
Pre-expand beads with steam, age in silos, then block- or shape-mould at ~105–125 °C steam; block density is set to hit the 150 kPa compressive class before sawing to boards.
What is the maximum service temperature of EPS 150 GEOFOAM?
EPS 150 GEOFOAM is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 100°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EPS 150 STD-FR and EPS 150 GEOFOAM?
STD-FR is the default condition — default construction board: CE-marked EN 13163 EPS150 with polymeric brominated FR, for roofs, floors and walls. GEOFOAM: large sawn blocks for embankment fill, bridge approaches and load reduction over utilities, specified by compressive resistance at 1 % and 10 % strain. Yield strength is 0.15 MPa in STD-FR versus 0.16 MPa in GEOFOAM.
Sources
- EN 13163 — Thermal insulation products for buildings: factory made expanded polystyrene (EPS) — CEN (2016)
- EN 14933 — Lightweight fill and thermal insulation products for civil engineering: EPS — CEN (2007)
- ASTM D6817 / ASTM C578 — Rigid cellular polystyrene geofoam and thermal insulation — ASTM (2021)
- Styropor / Neopor technical information (physical and mechanical property tables) — BASF (2020)
- EUMEPS EPS property and EPD compilations — EUMEPS (2022)
- ICE Inventory of Carbon & Energy v3 (EPS insulation) — Circular Ecology (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.