EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE
Additive grade
EN 13163 EPS200
Pick when the same 200 kPa load capacity is needed with ~10 % lower lambda for thinner build-ups.
Values for the GRAY-GRAPHITE condition
Other EPS 200 grades and fills
EPS 200 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at EPS 200.
Compare all 4 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GRAY-GRAPHITEThis page 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 | — |
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 GRAY-GRAPHITE?
EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE is EPS 200 in the GRAY-GRAPHITE grade — pick when the same 200 kPa load capacity is needed with ~10 % lower lambda for thinner build-ups. EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE has a tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi), weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4.5% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0015 Msi). EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE 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; GRAY-GRAPHITE is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.03 g/cm³ (0.0011 lb/in³), better than 94% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 0.03 W/m·K (0.0176 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 15/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0.01 GPa (0.0015 Msi), worse than 81% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 0.8%, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 4.5%, worse than 75% of polymer grades
EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE properties
Typical room-temperature values for EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE; 19 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 GRAY-GRAPHITE 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).
Mechanical10
EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE has a tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi), weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 4.5% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (0.0015 Msi).
Thermal9
EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.03 W/m·K (0.0176 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 65 µm/m·K (36.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² 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 GRAY-GRAPHITE 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 GRAY-GRAPHITE's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE
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 GRAY-GRAPHITE — frequently asked
What is EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE used for?
EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE 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 GRAY-GRAPHITE?
EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE has a typical tensile strength of 0.42 MPa (0.0609 ksi) — weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE 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 GRAY-GRAPHITE 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 GRAY-GRAPHITE?
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 GRAY-GRAPHITE 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 GRAY-GRAPHITE?
EPS 200 GRAY-GRAPHITE 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.