EPS 200 GEOFOAM
Grade
EN 13163 EPS200
GEOFOAM = geofoam block
Choose for lightweight embankment fill, bridge-approach and retaining-wall backfill where 1 % strain creep limits govern.
Values for the GEOFOAM condition
Other EPS 200 grades and fills
EPS 200 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at EPS 200.
- GRAY-GRAPHITE
- STD-FR
- NON-FR
- GEOFOAM
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graphite-enhanced grey EPS 200 (Neopor-type) | Pick when the same 200 kPa load capacity is needed with ~10 % lower lambda for thinner build-ups. | — | 0.42 | 4.5 | — |
STD-FRDefault Standard white flame-retarded EPS 200 block/board | Default construction grade: cut from moulded block for loaded floors, screeds and perimeter insulation. | — | 0.45 | 5 | — |
Non-flame-retarded EPS 200 | Use only outside building-code fire scope — heavy-duty packaging inserts, jigs, buried void fill. | — | 0.46 | 5 | — |
GEOFOAMThis page Geofoam block | Choose for lightweight embankment fill, bridge-approach and retaining-wall backfill where 1 % strain creep limits govern. | — | 0.5 | 5 | — |
What is EPS 200 GEOFOAM?
EPS 200 GEOFOAM is EPS 200 in the GEOFOAM grade — choose for lightweight embankment fill, bridge-approach and retaining-wall backfill where 1 % strain creep limits govern. EPS 200 GEOFOAM has a tensile strength of 0.5 MPa (0.0725 ksi), weaker than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0019 Msi). EPS 200 GEOFOAM has a density of 0.04 g/cm³ (0.0014 lb/in³), lighter than 91% 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
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.04 g/cm³ (0.0014 lb/in³), better than 91% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 20/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 0.8%, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (0.0019 Msi), worse than 78% of polymer grades
EPS 200 GEOFOAM properties
Typical room-temperature values for EPS 200 GEOFOAM; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EPS 200 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
EPS 200 GEOFOAM has a density of 0.04 g/cm³ (0.0014 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Mechanical10
EPS 200 GEOFOAM has a tensile strength of 0.5 MPa (0.0725 ksi), weaker than 89% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0019 Msi).
Thermal9
EPS 200 GEOFOAM is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 65 µm/m·K (36.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
EPS 200 GEOFOAM has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EPS 200 GEOFOAM takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 8%.
Manufacturability4
EPS 200 GEOFOAM's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EPS 200 GEOFOAM
Is EPS 200 easy to machine?
Hot-wire or band-saw cuts cleanly with negligible dust; routing and CNC hot-wire shaping work well but avoid high-speed steel tools that smear the cell walls.
Can EPS 200 be welded?
No true welding — join by hot-air/hot-plate fusion of contacting faces, or bond with EPS-safe water-based/PU adhesives (never solvent-based).
Can EPS 200 be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by pentane pre-expansion of PS beads, ageing, then steam block or shape moulding at ~0.5–1.0 bar steam; boards are cut from aged block after 3–7 days dimensional stabilisation.
What surface finishes work on EPS 200?
Accepts cement- or polymer-modified renders, mesh-reinforced EIFS coats and water-based paints; requires UV protection and a solvent-free primer, and any bitumen or PU coating must be certified EPS-compatible.
EPS 200 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)n-/iso-pentane, largely lost during ageing | 0.2 – 2 | 0.8 |
| polymeric brominated flame retardant (PoHBCD-free; absent in NON-FR variant | 0.5 – 1.5 | 0.9 |
| graphite2–4 % only in grey graphite-enhanced variant | 0 – 4 | 0 |
| processing additives (nucleant wax, anti | 0.1 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| polystyrene (expandable PS bead resin)solid-phase basis; foam is ~96–98 vol % air | ≥ 93 (balance) | — |
EPS 200 GEOFOAM — frequently asked
What is EPS 200 GEOFOAM used for?
EPS 200 GEOFOAM is typically used for heavy floor insulation, geofoam fill and industrial flooring. In short: highest-strength EPS class here; 200 kPa load capability; geofoam and industrial floors.
What is the tensile strength of EPS 200 GEOFOAM?
EPS 200 GEOFOAM has a typical tensile strength of 0.5 MPa (0.0725 ksi) — weaker than 89% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is EPS 200 GEOFOAM easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades). Hot-wire or band-saw cuts cleanly with negligible dust; routing and CNC hot-wire shaping work well but avoid high-speed steel tools that smear the cell walls.
Can EPS 200 GEOFOAM be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). No true welding — join by hot-air/hot-plate fusion of contacting faces, or bond with EPS-safe water-based/PU adhesives (never solvent-based).
What surface finishes work on EPS 200 GEOFOAM?
Accepts cement- or polymer-modified renders, mesh-reinforced EIFS coats and water-based paints; requires UV protection and a solvent-free primer, and any bitumen or PU coating must be certified EPS-compatible.
Can EPS 200 GEOFOAM be formed, bent or molded?
Produced by pentane pre-expansion of PS beads, ageing, then steam block or shape moulding at ~0.5–1.0 bar steam; boards are cut from aged block after 3–7 days dimensional stabilisation.
What is the maximum service temperature of EPS 200 GEOFOAM?
EPS 200 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.
Sources
- EN 13163 — Thermal insulation products for buildings: factory made expanded polystyrene (EPS) — CEN (2016)
- EN 826 / EN 12089 / EN 1607 / EN 12087 — compression, bending, tensile and water absorption tests for insulation products — CEN (2013)
- ASTM D6817 — Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam — ASTM (2023)
- EN 13501-1 — Fire classification of construction products (Euroclass) — CEN (2018)
- Expandable polystyrene / graphite EPS technical data (block board grades) — BASF Neopor / Synthos / Sunpor (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics (polystyrene and PS foams) — ASM International (1988)
- CES/Ashby material property data — EPS rigid foam (embodied energy, moduli) — Granta/Ansys (2022)
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.