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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Expanded beads of polyethylene moldable at low steam pressure
ClearIced block method: An efficient method for preparation of micro-sized expanded polystyrene foams
Researchers developed a new method for producing micro-sized expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam particles in the lab, enabling better-controlled experiments on EPS microplastic toxicity and environmental behavior. EPS foam is widely found in the environment but has been understudied compared to other microplastic types.
Enhanced Interfacial Adhesion of Polystyrene Bead Foams by Microwave Sintering for Microplastics Reduction
Researchers developed a microwave sintering method to improve the bonding between polystyrene foam beads, reducing the likelihood that the foam breaks apart and releases microplastic particles. Polystyrene foam fragmentation is a significant source of persistent microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
PET foaming: development of a new class of rheological additives for improved processability
This paper describes development of rheological additives to improve PET foaming for lightweight packaging, as an alternative to hard-to-recycle foamed polystyrene. Replacing polystyrene foam with more recyclable materials is important for reducing ocean microplastic pollution from packaging waste.
Polymer Bead Foams: A Review on Foam Preparation, Molding, and Inter-Bead Bonding Mechanism
This review examines the preparation, molding, and inter-bead bonding mechanisms of polymer bead foams, providing a comparative analysis of foam characteristics across distinct polymer types including expanded polypropylene, polyethylene, and polylactic acid. The authors survey traditional molding processes such as steam-chest molding and adhesive-assisted molding alongside emerging techniques like in-mold foaming and microwave sintering, discussing the multi-scale structural features that govern bead foam performance.
Novel and Accessible Physical Recycling for Expanded Polystyrene Waste with the Use of Acetone as a Solvent and Additive Manufacturing (Direct Ink-Write 3D Printing)
Researchers developed a low-cost method to recycle expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste by dissolving it in acetone and reforming it, offering an accessible alternative to conventional recycling. Keeping polystyrene out of landfills and the environment is relevant to microplastic reduction, since EPS readily breaks down into persistent polystyrene microparticles.
Fabrication of porous ceramic buoys (Ⅰ): preparation of porous ceramic beads for buoy manufacturing
Researchers fabricated porous ceramic buoys using soda-lime glass waste as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional expanded polystyrene buoys, which are a major source of marine microplastics, finding that optimized foaming conditions produced lightweight beads with a bulk density of approximately 0.2 g cm-3 suitable for buoy assembly.
Preparation and application of a polyethylene foam packaging material
This review examines the preparation, modification, and application of polyethylene foam as a packaging material, discussing its lightweight, insulating, and shock-absorbing properties alongside the environmental and recycling challenges its widespread use creates. The authors propose approaches to address sustainability concerns while maintaining the performance characteristics that make polyethylene foam central to the modern packaging industry.
Engineered Polystyrene-Based Microplastics of High Environmental Relevance
Researchers developed a method for creating laboratory microplastic particles that more closely resemble the weathered, environmentally relevant microplastics found in nature. They demonstrated that standard pristine microplastic beads used in most toxicity studies have very different surface properties than real-world particles, which may lead to inaccurate risk assessments. The study provides the research community with more realistic test materials for studying the true environmental and health impacts of microplastic pollution.
Polymer Bead Foams: A Review on Foam Preparation, Molding, and Interbead Bonding Mechanism
This paper is not directly about microplastics; it provides a comprehensive review of polymer bead foam materials — including preparation, molding techniques, and inter-bead bonding — with applications in packaging, automotive parts, and insulation.
ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ НИЗЬКОТЕМПЕРАТУРНОГО КАТАЛІТИЧНОГО КРЕКІНГУ ПОЛІСТИРОЛУ ЗА АТМОСФЕРНОГО ТИСКУ
Researchers reviewed low-temperature catalytic cracking of polystyrene at atmospheric pressure as a chemical recycling strategy, emphasizing how it avoids toxic emissions and produces liquid oils and fuel additives. The approach is presented as more energy-efficient than mechanical or thermal recycling methods.
An evaluation model to predict microplastics generation from polystyrene foams and experimental verification
Researchers developed a simulation model that predicts when aged polystyrene foams will generate microplastics by linking plastic aging with mechanical failure over time, offering a tool to guide timely recycling before microplastic release occurs.
Vacuum pyrolysis depolymerization of waste polystyrene foam into high-purity styrene using a spirit lamp flame for convenient chemical recycling
Researchers developed a simple method for recycling waste polystyrene foam by vacuum pyrolysis over a spirit lamp flame for just 20 minutes, producing styrene monomer at 98% purity without additional purification steps, enabling low-cost closed-loop chemical recycling.
Expandable polystyrene production and market survey- A review
This review examines the production processes and global market for expandable polystyrene (EPS), describing the two main manufacturing approaches — batch processing and the impregnation method — used to produce pre-expanded PS beads. The paper surveys EPS applications in packaging, construction, and insulation and presents data on worldwide polystyrene consumption and market trends.
Performance Characterization and Evaluation of Innovative Cement Mortars and Concretes Made with Recycled EPS
Not relevant to microplastics — this study evaluates the mechanical strength and thermal insulation performance of cement mortars and concretes that incorporate recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads as aggregate, focused on construction materials.
Polystyrene as Hazardous Household Waste
This chapter reviews the hazards associated with polystyrene — a petroleum-based plastic used in packaging and household products — highlighting its persistence, the toxic additives it contains, and its potential to fragment into microplastics. The authors discuss regulatory history and make the case for treating polystyrene foam as a hazardous household waste.
Acoustic and thermal characterization of a novel sustainable material incorporating recycled microplastic waste
Researchers created a new eco-friendly foam material by embedding recovered marine microplastics into a bio-based matrix, producing an open-cell insulating material with strong acoustic and thermal properties. The innovation offers a potential path to upcycle hard-to-recycle mixed marine plastic waste into useful building and industrial insulation products.
Characteristics of Styrofoam Waste-based Membrane Through Vapor and Liquid-induced Phase Inversion Process
Researchers prepared polymeric membranes from recycled Styrofoam waste using a phase-inversion technique with either immersion or evaporation solidification, finding that the solidification method significantly influenced hydrophobicity, pore configuration, porosity, and thermal stability of the resulting membranes.
Material Development and Properties of Medium-Density Board from Low and High-Density Polyethylene
Not directly relevant to microplastic pollution research. This engineering study creates medium-density boards from waste polyethylene plastics and tests their mechanical properties for use in furniture and construction—a materials recycling study rather than a pollution or health impacts study.
Polyurethane Foam Waste Upcycling into an Efficient and Low Pollutant Gasification Syngas
Researchers modeled the gasification of polyurethane foam waste under various conditions, finding that optimized thermochemical treatment can convert this common polymer waste into hydrogen-rich syngas with low pollutant output, offering a viable energy recovery pathway for difficult-to-recycle plastic foam materials.
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Researchers developed a scalable continuous low-pressure hydrothermal processing method to convert polystyrene plastic waste into valuable monomers, operating without catalysts, producing less char than pyrolysis, and requiring substantially lower pressures than supercritical methods.
Environmental implications of styrofoam waste and its utilization as lightweight fill material for embankment construction
Researchers investigated the environmental problems caused by styrofoam waste and explored whether it could be repurposed as a lightweight fill material for construction embankments. They found that incorporating styrofoam into embankment construction improved structural performance while diverting waste from landfills. The study suggests that reusing styrofoam in civil engineering could help address both waste management and construction challenges.
A mini-review on expanded polystyrene waste recycling and its applications
This mini-review summarizes recycling technologies and emerging applications for expanded polystyrene waste, examining mechanical, chemical, and dissolution recycling methods and their practical feasibility for diverting EPS from landfill in both developed and developing countries.
EPS waste management from coastal cleaning actions: identification of contamination sources, collection, treatment, and re-use in cement-based materials
This study developed an integrated approach for managing expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste from coastal cleanup activities, including collection, treatment, and incorporation into cement-based building materials. Reusing EPS waste from beaches reduces the amount of plastic that breaks down into microplastics in marine environments.
A sustainable acoustic customization of open porous materials using recycled plastics
Researchers developed a sustainable foamy acoustic material by incorporating recycled marine microplastic waste — polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) — into a bio-based matrix, characterizing samples of different compositions for sound absorption and thermal insulation properties.