EPS 80 RC
Grade
EN 13163 EPS80
RC = 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.
Values for the RC 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | 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. | — | 0.13 | 1.8 | — |
RCThis page 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. | — | 0.18 | 1.6 | — |
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. | — | 0.2 | 2 | — |
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. | — | 0.21 | 1.8 | — |
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. | — | 0.22 | 2 | — |
What is EPS 80 RC?
EPS 80 RC is EPS 80 in the RC grade — choose to cut embodied carbon by adding 10–30% recycled EPS regrind, accepting conductivity that rises slightly to 0.038 W/m·K. EPS 80 RC has a tensile strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi), weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.6% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (5.8×10⁻⁴ Msi). EPS 80 RC has a density of 0.02 g/cm³ (6.86×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 99% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.02 g/cm³ (6.86×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), better than 99% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 89% 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 — 1.6%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Low stiffness — 0 GPa (5.8×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.022 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of polymer grades
EPS 80 RC properties
Typical room-temperature values for EPS 80 RC; 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 RC has a density of 0.02 g/cm³ (6.86×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 99% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Mechanical9
EPS 80 RC has a tensile strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi), weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.6% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (5.8×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal8
EPS 80 RC is rated for continuous service to 75°C (167 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.022 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 65 µm/m·K (36.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 61% of polymer grades. UV resistance is not recommended.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EPS 80 RC takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability5
EPS 80 RC's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 92% of polymer grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with EPS 80 RC
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| pentane (residual blowing agent)residual pentane after ageing | 0.1 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| polymeric brominated flame retardant (Poflame-retarded grades; replaces HBCD | 0.3 – 1.2 | 0.7 |
| graphiteonly in grey graphite type (GEPS) | 0 – 4 | 0 |
| processing additives (nucleant, antistat | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| polystyrene (styrene homopolymer)closed-cell wall material after foaming; air about 98% by volume | ≥ 94 (balance) | — |
EPS 80 RC — frequently asked
What is EPS 80 RC used for?
EPS 80 RC 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 RC?
EPS 80 RC has a typical tensile strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi) — weaker than 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is EPS 80 RC easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 92% 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 RC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). 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 RC?
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 RC 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 RC?
EPS 80 RC is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 95°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)
- Neopor / Styropor — BASF (2022)
- EUMEPS EPS — EUMEPS (2020)
- 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.