I. Conventional special names for dedicated foam beads used in lost foam casting: 1. Expandable polystyrene resin beads dedicated to lost foam casting (short for EPS); 2. Expandable methyl methacrylate and styrene copolymer resin beads (short for STMMA); 3. Expandable polymethyl methacrylate resin beads (short for EPMMA). Users choose the necessary types and specifications according to the characteristics and requirements of the casting, to ensure obtaining high-quality foam plastic models and lost foam castings.
II. Application scope of dedicated foam beads used in lost foam casting
Type Applicable scope
EPS Non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, etc.), gray iron, and general steel castings
STMMA Gray iron, ductile iron, low carbon steel, alloy steel castings
EPMMA Ductile iron, malleable cast iron, low carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel castings, etc.
III. Types and specifications of products
Index EPS STMMA EPMMA
Color Semi-transparent beads Semi-transparent milky white beads Milky white beads
Apparent density (g/ml) 0.55-0.67 0.55-0.67 0.55-0.67
Pre-expansion ratio g 50 45 40
Volatile matter (%) g 6.5 8 10
IV. Bead size (mm)
# 0.60-0.80
2# 0.42-0.60
3# 0.30-0.40
4# 0.25-0.30
5# 0.21-0.25
6# 0.18-0.21
Note: This product contains low-boiling hydrocarbon blowing agents. During storage and transportation, it must be placed in a sealed container lined with a plastic film bag, stored in a low-temperature, well-ventilated area away from fire sources.