Styrene

Styrene, also known as ethenylbenzene is a cheap plastic that has many usages. Everything from food packaging to model building kits are commonly made from styrene do to its low price, relatively high stiffness and its ease of manufacturing.

This material is available in 1mm thick sheets in white and transparent.

When laser cutting styrene the cuts become somewhat burned and a small edge of slag can form on the underside of your part.

Available thicknesses and colors

• 1mm - White
• 1mm - Transparent

Cut width

Ca: 0.2-0.35mm

Sheet Size

• 1mm - White - 740mm * 490mm
• 1mm - Transparent - 1000mm * 610mm

How does it look once laser cut?

1mm Transparent

Below: Backside of cut part.

Transparent styrene is delivered with a protective plastic film on both sides, compared to the white variant that only has protective film on one side.

Below: Adding a lot of fill engraving to styrene will make the material curve towards the engraving.

1mm White

Below: Flashbacks on the backside of the part.

Hints from TechStation!

Styrene plastics are heat formable and commonly used in industry for both injection moulding and vacuum forming.

Benefits:

+ Low price

+ 1mm thick

+ Heat formable

Drawbacks:

- Somewhat brittle

Mechanical properties:

• Density: 909 kg/m^3M
• Melting point: ~240 °C (decomposes at lower temperature)