JIS A9511 EPS 3GO
Grade · default condition
JIS A9511
Default choice for general wall/ceiling insulation and packaging where loads are light.
Values for the 3GO condition
Other JIS A9511 EPS grades and fills
JIS A9511 EPS is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at JIS A9511 EPS.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | Choose for lowest cost/weight, non-load-bearing void fill, cushioning and cavity insulation. | 0.12 | 0.14 | 1.3 | — |
3GODefaultThis page 3 | Default choice for general wall/ceiling insulation and packaging where loads are light. | 0.18 | 0.2 | 1.5 | — |
Flame-retardant (building grade) beads | Required for building insulation: FR beads (polymeric brominated FR) give self-extinguishing behaviour per the JIS burning test. | 0.18 | 0.2 | 1.5 | — |
2 | Choose as a balanced general construction board where moderate compressive load exists. | 0.24 | 0.26 | 1.7 | — |
Highest-performance grade | Choose when the lowest lambda is needed at moderate density (thin external wall insulation). | 0.28 | 0.3 | 1.8 | — |
1 | Choose for load-bearing insulation: under-slab, roof deck, lightweight fill blocks. | 0.3 | 0.32 | 1.8 | — |
What is JIS A9511 EPS 3GO?
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO is JIS A9511 EPS in the 3GO grade — default choice for general wall/ceiling insulation and packaging where loads are light. JIS A9511 EPS 3GO has a yield strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi) — weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi). JIS A9511 EPS 3GO 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, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.45%, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi), worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 98% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 15/100, worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Absorbs moisture — dry before molding — 1.5%, 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
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO properties
Typical room-temperature values for JIS A9511 EPS 3GO; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are JIS A9511 EPS reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical4
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO 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).
Mechanical11
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO has a yield strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi) — weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 0.01 GPa (7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal9
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO 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).
Electrical4
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of JIS A9511 EPS 3GO takes about 105 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 54% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability5
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with JIS A9511 EPS 3GO
Is JIS A9511 EPS easy to machine?
Cut with hot wire, band saw or sharp blade; avoid high-speed routing which melts and generates static-clinging dust — vacuum extraction recommended.
Can JIS A9511 EPS be welded?
Not weldable in the conventional sense; blocks are joined by hot-plate/steam fusion, EPS-safe (water-based or PU) adhesive, or mechanical toggles.
Can JIS A9511 EPS be formed, bent or molded?
Pre-expand beads with steam, age, then shape-mould in a steam chest at ~0.6–1.0 bar (105–125 °C); allow 0.3–0.7 % shrinkage and 24 h+ drying/curing before machining.
What surface finishes work on JIS A9511 EPS?
Coat with cement-based render, water-based paint or facing boards; solvent paints, hot bitumen and PVC plasticisers attack the foam, and UV exposure requires a protective layer.
JIS A9511 EPS 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 (blowing agent, residual)4–7 % in unexpanded bead; mostly lost during ageing | 0.2 – 4 | 1 |
| flame retardant (polymeric brominated, PFR / building grades only (HBCD phased out) | 0.3 – 1.5 | 0.8 |
| graphitespecial grade / grey EPS only, IR-blocking additive | 0.5 – 3 | 2 |
| nucleating & coating agents (talc, stear | 0.1 – 1 | 0.4 |
| polystyrene (PS homopolymer)expandable polystyrene bead matrix | ≥ 90 (balance) | — |
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO — frequently asked
What is JIS A9511 EPS 3GO used for?
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO is typically used for building thermal insulation, roof and floor insulation and packaging. In short: lowest-cost styrenic insulation; shape-mouldable EPS; JIS grade 1-4 range.
What is the yield strength of JIS A9511 EPS 3GO?
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO has a typical yield strength of 0.18 MPa (0.0261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi) — weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is JIS A9511 EPS 3GO easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 95% of polymer grades). Cut with hot wire, band saw or sharp blade; avoid high-speed routing which melts and generates static-clinging dust — vacuum extraction recommended.
Can JIS A9511 EPS 3GO be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Not weldable in the conventional sense; blocks are joined by hot-plate/steam fusion, EPS-safe (water-based or PU) adhesive, or mechanical toggles.
What surface finishes work on JIS A9511 EPS 3GO?
Coat with cement-based render, water-based paint or facing boards; solvent paints, hot bitumen and PVC plasticisers attack the foam, and UV exposure requires a protective layer.
Can JIS A9511 EPS 3GO be formed, bent or molded?
Pre-expand beads with steam, age, then shape-mould in a steam chest at ~0.6–1.0 bar (105–125 °C); allow 0.3–0.7 % shrinkage and 24 h+ drying/curing before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of JIS A9511 EPS 3GO?
JIS A9511 EPS 3GO is rated for continuous use to about 75°C (167 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between JIS A9511 EPS 3GO and JIS A9511 EPS 1GO?
3GO is the default condition — default choice for general wall/ceiling insulation and packaging where loads are light. 1GO: choose for load-bearing insulation: under-slab, roof deck, lightweight fill blocks. Yield strength is 0.18 MPa in 3GO versus 0.3 MPa in 1GO.
Sources
- JIS A9511 (rigid foamed plastics thermal insulation) (2009)
- EPS (EPS board properties by grade) (2020)
- EN 13163 Thermal insulation products — factory made EPS — CEN (2016)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics (polystyrene foams) — ASM International (1988)
- CES / Granta EduPack material data — rigid polymer foam (EPS) — Ansys Granta (2023)
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.