MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS |
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EPS beads |
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adapting to it. The filling moulds precisely to one‘ s body shape, supporting the body weight evenly. Another advantage is its breathability and insulation. The air between the beads allows for internal circulation, preventing excessive heat build-up while maintaining excellent thermal insulation( typical of EPS). Expanded polystyrene is also characterised by extreme lightness. A large beanbag filled with beads weighs just a few kilos and can be easily moved with one hand. Finally, another important advantage is resistance to corrosion. EPS beads are hypoallergenic, rot-resistant, and do not attract parasites or mould, as they do not provide nourishment for them, unlike natural fillings such as feathers or wood shavings. |
PRODUCTION The production of this object follows a different logic compared to a traditional chair with a wooden frame. The first step is cutting and sewing the inner bag, the purely functional part of the system, generally made of lightweight polyester or elastic microfibres, which serves to contain the beads. This bag is not filled fully. To allow the beads to adapt to the sitter, the filling level varies between 65 % and 80 % of the total volume. If it were too full, it would be excessively compact and uncomfortable; if too empty, it would not adequately support the body, and the sitter would touch the floor. The outer bag has an aesthetic as well as a functional role in providing support. It can be made of leather, eco-leather, technical textiles, velvet, etc. The important thing is that the material is durable and that the stitching is resistant in order to contain the beads, which exert constant pressure when sitting. Upholstered chairs of this type almost always have a resealable opening, allowing the beads to be refilled if, after years of use, they become compressed and worn. It is possible to purchase bags of virgin beads to restore the seat‘ s original volume, potentially extending its life indefinitely.
EPS BEADS AND EPS BLOCKS While designer beanbags are the most obvious example of the use of EPS beads, it is certainly not the only one. EPS beads are also used to make nursing pillows or medical positioning devices to maintain
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patients in specific positions without causing bedsores. In the world of contemporary interior design, EPS is experiencing a renaissance in the creation of rigid furnishings and accessories. In this case, the starting point is high-density EPS blocks that are solid and resistant to compression. The EPS blocks are cut on a numerically controlled machine, where a heated metal alloy wire precisely cuts the polystyrene through thermal evaporation. This method allows even complex shapes to be created. It all starts with digital design: the designer creates the shape by calculating the thicknesses necessary for structural stability. If the object is composed of multiple components, they are glued together using specific solvent-free adhesives. The object is then sanded by hand, and the exterior surface is made more resistant using a hot spraying process or applying a resin. The object is then ready to be painted or covered. In addition to its light weight, many properties make EPS a valuable material: its extreme workability makes it possible to produce unique shapes, complex curves, and bold geometries. Furthermore, it offers an ecological advantage, as furnishings can be made using recycled polystyrene. The uses of rigid polystyrene are almost endless: seats and sofas, wall coverings, decorative objects, coffee tables and bookcases, even elements for spas. EPS is a material capable of giving shape to the creativity of engineers and interior designers. |
Italian technology plast / June-July 2026 |
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www. plastmagazine. it |
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