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EPS 80 FR-B1

Flame-retardant grade

EN 13163 EPS80

FR-B1 = high flame-retardant EPS 80, GB 8624 B1 grade

Choose when GB 8624 B1 fire class is mandated for high-rise external insulation; oxygen index is ≥30, with conductivity slightly higher at 0.037 W/m·K.

Standard cost $$

Values for the FR-B1 condition

Other EPS 80 grades and fills

EPS 80 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at EPS 80.

Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Aged, cut facade board with TR100 perpendicular tensile
Pick for adhesive-bonded facade insulation: 42-day ageing followed by two-sided cutting gives dimensional stability and perpendicular tensile strength ≥100 kPa.—0.131.8—
EPS 80 with recycled (rEPS) content
Choose to cut embodied carbon by adding 10–30% recycled EPS regrind, accepting conductivity that rises slightly to 0.038 W/m·K.—0.181.6—
Graphite-enhanced grey EPS 80
Pick when insulation thickness is limited: graphite reflects infrared and lowers conductivity by about 15–20% to 0.032 W/m·K at comparable strength.—0.22—
FR-B1This page
High flame-retardant EPS 80, GB 8624 B1 grade
Choose when GB 8624 B1 fire class is mandated for high-rise external insulation; oxygen index is ≥30, with conductivity slightly higher at 0.037 W/m·K.—0.211.8—
Non-flame-retarded EPS 80
Use only for packaging, void fill and buried positions with no fire requirement, since no flame retardant is added; conductivity is 0.036 W/m·K.—0.222—

What is EPS 80 FR-B1?

EPS 80 FR-B1 is EPS 80 in the FR-B1 grade — choose when GB 8624 B1 fire class is mandated for high-rise external insulation; oxygen index is ≥30, with conductivity slightly higher at 0.037 W/m·K. EPS 80 FR-B1 has a tensile strength of 0.21 MPa (0.0305 ksi), weaker than 96% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (6.96×10⁻⁴ Msi). EPS 80 FR-B1 has a density of 0.02 g/cm³ (7.23×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 98% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).

Advantages

  • Lightweight — 0.02 g/cm³ (7.23×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), better than 98% of polymer grades
  • Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 3.3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 78% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 12/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades
  • Hard to polish — 5/100, worse than 99% of polymer grades
  • Limited ductility — 1.8%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0214 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of polymer grades
  • Low stiffness — 0 GPa (6.96×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 90% of polymer grades

EPS 80 FR-B1 properties

Typical room-temperature values for EPS 80 FR-B1; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are EPS 80 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical4

EPS 80 FR-B1 has a density of 0.02 g/cm³ (7.23×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 98% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).

Density0.02 g/cm³7.23×10⁻⁴ lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)100°C212 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)1%
Water Absorption (Saturation)3.5%

Mechanical9

EPS 80 FR-B1 has a tensile strength of 0.21 MPa (0.0305 ksi), weaker than 96% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (6.96×10⁻⁴ Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus0 GPa6.96×10⁻⁴ Msi
Shear Modulus0 GPa2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.1
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)0.21 MPa0.03 ksi
Elongation at Break1.8%
Compressive Strength0.09 MPa0.01 ksi
Compressive Modulus0 GPa5.08×10⁻⁴ Msi
Flexural Strength0.16 MPa0.02 ksi
Shear Strength0.11 MPa0.02 ksi

Thermal8

EPS 80 FR-B1 is rated for continuous service to 78°C (172 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0214 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 65 µm/m·K (36.1 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.04 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,450 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)65 µm/m·K36.1 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)78°C172 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F
Flammability (UL 94)GB 8624 B1(C-s2,d0,t2) UL 94 HB
Limiting Oxygen Index32%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)95°C203 °F

Electrical3

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)1.04
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)2×10⁻⁴
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is not recommended.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good80/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance Summary—

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of EPS 80 FR-B1 takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 3.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability5

EPS 80 FR-B1's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (30/100).

MachinabilityExcellent90/100
WeldabilityPoor25/100
Formability (cold)Poor30/100
PolishabilityNot recommended5/100
Mold Shrinkage0.5%

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with EPS 80 FR-B1

Is EPS 80 easy to machine?

Hot-wire cutting, band sawing and high-speed milling all work; if the hot wire travels too slowly the foam melts and slumps. Cut beads carry a strong static charge, so run vacuum extraction.

Can EPS 80 be welded?

Not fusion weldable. Blocks are secondary-fused with steam in the mould; on site, joints are made with solvent-free polyurethane foam adhesive or water-based adhesive mortar.

Can EPS 80 be formed, bent or molded?

Steam-moulded from pre-expanded beads into blocks or shaped parts. After demoulding, age 3–6 weeks to stabilise dimensions before cutting to board.

What surface finishes work on EPS 80?

The surface must be protected with a base-coat render plus reinforcing mesh, cement board or a metal facing. Use water-based coatings only — solvent-based paints and bitumen attack the surface.

EPS 80 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
pentane (residual blowing agent)residual pentane after ageing0.1 – 1.50.6
polymeric brominated flame retardant (Poflame-retarded grades; replaces HBCD0.3 – 1.20.7
graphiteonly in grey graphite type (GEPS)0 – 40
processing additives (nucleant, antistat0.1 – 0.60.3
polystyrene (styrene homopolymer)closed-cell wall material after foaming; air about 98% by volume≥ 94 (balance)—

EPS 80 FR-B1 — frequently asked

What is EPS 80 FR-B1 used for?

EPS 80 FR-B1 is typically used for external wall insulation, roof insulation and floor insulation. In short: entry-level EPS strength class; standard EWI insulation board; lowest cost per R-value.

What is the tensile strength of EPS 80 FR-B1?

EPS 80 FR-B1 has a typical tensile strength of 0.21 MPa (0.0305 ksi) — weaker than 96% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is EPS 80 FR-B1 easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades). Hot-wire cutting, band sawing and high-speed milling all work; if the hot wire travels too slowly the foam melts and slumps. Cut beads carry a strong static charge, so run vacuum extraction.

Can EPS 80 FR-B1 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not fusion weldable. Blocks are secondary-fused with steam in the mould; on site, joints are made with solvent-free polyurethane foam adhesive or water-based adhesive mortar.

What surface finishes work on EPS 80 FR-B1?

The surface must be protected with a base-coat render plus reinforcing mesh, cement board or a metal facing. Use water-based coatings only — solvent-based paints and bitumen attack the surface.

Can EPS 80 FR-B1 be formed, bent or molded?

Steam-moulded from pre-expanded beads into blocks or shaped parts. After demoulding, age 3–6 weeks to stabilise dimensions before cutting to board.

What is the maximum service temperature of EPS 80 FR-B1?

EPS 80 FR-B1 is rated for continuous use to about 78°C (172 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. EN 13163 Thermal insulation products for buildings — Factory made expanded polystyrene (EPS) — CEN (2016)
  2. Neopor / Styropor — BASF (2022)
  3. EUMEPS EPS — EUMEPS (2020)
  4. Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) v3 — EPS — 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.