HIPS
ASTM D4549 · ISO 1043-1 PS-HI, 2897 · also Styron HIPS
HIPS is polystyrene toughened with dispersed polybutadiene rubber particles, produced to ASTM D4549 and GB/T 4454.
Reference datasheet — HIPS is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
HIPS grades and fills
HIPS is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High / super-high impact HIPS | Pick when drop-impact or low-temperature toughness dominates and stiffness can be traded away. | 20 | 21 | 55 | 88 HRR |
Recycled / regrind-containing HIPS | Cheapest option for non-critical hidden parts and sheet cores; properties vary lot to lot. | 21 | 22 | 20 | 76 Shore D |
Antistatic / static-dissipative HIPS | For electronics trays, packaging and covers where charge build-up must be bled off. | 22 | 24 | 25 | 76 Shore D |
flame-retardant HIPS (UL 94 V-0) | Required for TV/monitor back covers, power-tool and appliance housings needing V-0 or V-2 listing. | 23 | 24 | 20 | 76 Shore D |
Mineral / talc-filled HIPS | Cost-down / stiffness-up option for large flat panels where impact can be sacrificed. | 24 | 24 | 8 | 80 Shore D |
High-heat HIPS | For parts near warm electronics or hot-fill/steam-clean exposure where standard HIPS softens. | 26 | 28 | 30 | 79 Shore D |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways HIPS is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
SHEET | Extrusion/thermoforming sheet grade | Supply form |
FDA | FDA / food-contact HIPS | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilized / weather-modified HIPS | Grade option |
GPDefault | General-purpose unfilled HIPS | Standard supply |
What is HIPS?
HIPS is polystyrene toughened with dispersed polybutadiene rubber particles, produced to ASTM D4549 and GB/T 4454. The rubber phase lifts impact strength and elongation to 40 % at 26 MPa tensile strength, giving a translucent-to-opaque material with the low cost, easy moulding and dimensional stability of the styrenic family; it is stocked as pellets and as extruded sheet for thermoforming. It is not clear, has limited resistance to hydrocarbons and ketones, and weathers poorly under UV unless painted or capped. ABS is the next step up for stiffness, heat and surface durability. HIPS has a density of 1.05 g/cm³ (0.0379 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F). HIPS has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 2 GPa (0.29 Msi).
What is HIPS used for?
- Refrigerator liners
- TV/appliance housings
- Toys
- Signage and displays
- Thermoformed packaging trays
Advantages
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 86% of polymer grades
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 85% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.07%, better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 18/100, worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 24 MPa (3.48 ksi), worse than 76% of polymer grades
HIPS properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
HIPS has a density of 1.05 g/cm³ (0.0379 lb/in³), lighter than 69% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 100°C (212 °F).
Mechanical14
HIPS has a yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 2 GPa (0.29 Msi).
Thermal11
HIPS is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.16 W/m·K (0.0924 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 78% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 80 µm/m·K (44.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
HIPS is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 22 kV/mm (558.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), worse than 70% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HIPS takes about 92 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 74% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
HIPS's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. HIPS is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with HIPS
Is HIPS easy to machine?
Machines and dies easily with sharp, positive-rake tools and high speed/low feed; avoid heat build-up (smearing) and avoid cutting fluids containing solvents that stress-crack it.
Can HIPS be welded?
Excellent ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and solvent (MEK/toluene-based) welding; also readily bonded with cyanoacrylate and styrene cements.
Can HIPS be formed, bent or molded?
Very easy injection molding at 190–250 °C melt with 20–60 °C molds; predrying 2–3 h at 70–80 °C recommended; sheet thermoforms cleanly at 140–180 °C with low forces.
HIPS 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 |
|---|---|---|
| polybutadiene rubbergrafted/occluded salami-type rubber particles 0.5–5 µm | 4 – 12 | 7 |
| mineral oil (internal lubricant/plastici | 0.5 – 3.5 | 2 |
| antioxidant / stabilizer package | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| residual styrene monomerfood-grade limits lower | 0 – 0.1 | 0.03 |
| polystyrene (styrene monomer units)continuous glassy matrix | ≥ 88 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on HIPS?
Takes hot stamping, pad/screen printing, vacuum metallizing and paint well (use styrene-compatible primers); poor UV durability means outdoor parts must be painted or capped.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to HIPS in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D4549
- ISO
- 1043-1 PS-HI2897
- Trade names
- Styron HIPS
- Similar grades
- GB/T 4454
How much does HIPS cost?
HIPS is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
HIPS — frequently asked
What is HIPS used for?
HIPS is typically used for refrigerator liners, TV/appliance housings, toys, signage and displays and thermoformed packaging trays. In short: impact-toughened polystyrene; easiest thermoforming styrenic; low-cost opaque housings.
What is the yield strength of HIPS?
HIPS has a typical yield strength of 24 MPa (3.48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 26 MPa (3.77 ksi) — weaker than 76% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is HIPS easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% of polymer grades). Machines and dies easily with sharp, positive-rake tools and high speed/low feed; avoid heat build-up (smearing) and avoid cutting fluids containing solvents that stress-crack it.
Can HIPS be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent ultrasonic, hot-plate, spin and solvent (MEK/toluene-based) welding; also readily bonded with cyanoacrylate and styrene cements.
What surface finishes work on HIPS?
Takes hot stamping, pad/screen printing, vacuum metallizing and paint well (use styrene-compatible primers); poor UV durability means outdoor parts must be painted or capped.
Can HIPS be formed, bent or molded?
Very easy injection molding at 190–250 °C melt with 20–60 °C molds; predrying 2–3 h at 70–80 °C recommended; sheet thermoforms cleanly at 140–180 °C with low forces.
What is the maximum service temperature of HIPS?
HIPS is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does HIPS cost?
HIPS is a budget-cost polymer ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM D4549 — Standard Classification System for Polystyrene and Rubber-Modified Polystyrene Molding and Extrusion Materials — ASTM International (2020)
- ISO 2897-1/2 — Plastics — Impact-resistant polystyrene (PS-I) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2021)
- GB/T 4454 — HIPS — SAC (2018)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- HIPS resin datasheets (Styron/Trinseo, Chi Mei PH series, INEOS Styrolution Styrolux/PS-I) — various producers (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PS-I entries (ISO 527 / ISO 75 / ISO 306 data) — CWFG (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.