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EPS Flotation Components for Buoyancy

Airfoam Flotation Billets are the most cost effective buoyancy material in the market providing superior performance for virtually any commercial or residential floatation application. Made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and 98% air, they are extremely lightweight & buoyant. With outstanding stability, EPS Floatation components resist decomposition, moisture, mold & fungi growth, and many adverse conditions, including freeze-thaw cycles, while providing excellent compressive strength over very long service periods.

Airfoam Flotation Billets can be factory-shaped to your specific needs for fast installation into your flotation assembly system. Airfoam EPS Flotation solutions can be used in fresh and salt water.

Applications

Boat docks, marinas, boathouses, swim rafts, piers, floating homes, aquaculture facilities, even floating golf tees and heliports

Floating Dock made with EPS Buoyancy components
Floating Golf Green made with EPS Buoyancy components
Floating Helipad made with EPS Buoyancy components
Large Float with EPS Buoyancy components under construction
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EPS Types, Properties & Quality Assurance

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is a resilient, closed cell, rigid foam material that uses air as main ingredient.

Material properties of Airfoam's various Types for Engineered Applications

 Tech. Summary

The standard EPS-blocks are 48" x 48" x 96" [1.22m x 1.22m x 2.44m], full-size maxima are 48½" x 48½" x 194" [1.23m x 1.23m x 4.92m] but can be custom ordered in any size, including custom-fabricated and factory-tapered, to meet your project specifications.

Property¹ Units
Airfoam Types
 ASTM Std.
G12 G15 G19 G22 G24 G29 G39 G46
Third-Party Certified Type   EPS15 EPS19 EPS22   EPS29 EPS39 EPS46 D6817
Density
Minimum		 kg/m3 11.2 14.4 18.4 21.6 24.0 28.8 38.4 45.7 D1622
lb/ft3 0.7 0.9 1.15 1.35 1.5 1.8 2.4 2.85
Compressive Resistance
@ 1% Strain
Minimum		 kPa 15 25 40 50 58 75 103 128 D1621
Proc.A
psi 2.2 3.6 5.8 7.3 8.4 10.9 15 18.6
psf 317 518 835 1051 1210 1570 2160 2678
Elastic Modulus²
typical within elastic range		 MPa 1.5 2.5 4.0 5.0 5.8 7.5 10.3 12.8 D1621
psi 220 360 580 730 840 1090 1500 1860
Flexural Strength
Minimum		 kPa 69 172 207 240 276 345 414 517 C203
Proc.B
psi 10 25 30 35 40 50 60 75
Buoyancy Force3,4
Maximum when dry		 kN/m3 9.7 9.67 9.63 9.6 9.57 9.53 9.43 9.36 D1622
lbf/ft3 61.8 61.5 61.3 61.1 61 60.7 60.1 59.6
Additional Compressive Resistance Properties²
@ 5% Strain
Minimum		 kPa 35 55 90 115 138 170 241 300 D1621
Proc.A
psi 5.1 8.0 13.1 16.7 20.0 24.7 35.0 43.5
@ 10% Strain
Minimum		 kPa 40 70 110 135 157 200 276 345
psi 5.8 10.2 16 19.6 22.7 29 40 50
Thermal Resistance4,5 Minimum R-value at 1" thick [ ft²•hr•°F/ (BTU•in) ] at mean temperatures of:
@ 25°F (when heating) 3.45 4.2 4.4 4.6 4.6 4.8 4.8 4.8 C518
or
C177
@ 40°F (when heating) 3.3 4.0 4.2 4.4 4.4 4.6 4.6 4.6
@ 75°F (when cooling) 3.1 3.75 3.8 4.04 4.1 4.27 4.27 4.3

¹ The test methods used to determine the above material properties provide a means of comparing different rigid, cellular polystyrene geofoam products. They are intended for use in specifications, product evaluations and quality control but they are not intended to predict end-use product performance.  ² The elastic limit/yield point is between 1% and 2% strain. Compressive resistances at 5% and 10% strain are provided for applications where the intended end-use includes plastic (permanent) deformation under load; to limit it along with creep, use the 1% strain values for design.  ³ when EPS remains dry, assuming fresh water ρ=1,000 kg/m3. Where needed protect against uplift/flotation.  4 not part of the industry consensus standard ASTM D6817 and provided AS-IS solely for informational purposes.   5 based on industry standards for EPS insulation of similar densities. R means resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

The ASTM Standard D6817 "Standard Specification for Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Geofoam" provides material properties of various EPS Types:

Property*
Units
Types
ASTM Test
EPS12
EPS15
EPS19
EPS22
EPS29
EPS39
EPS46
Density
Minimum		 kg/m3 11.2 14.4 18.4 21.6 28.8 38.4 45.7 C303 or D1622
lb/ft3 0.7 0.9 1.15 1.35 1.8 2.4 2.85
Compressive Resistance
@ 1% Deformation
Minimum		 kPa 15 25 40 50 75 103 128 D1621
Proc.A
psi 2.2 3.6 5.8 7.3 10.9 15 18.6
Flexural Strength
Minimum		 kPa 69 172 207240 345 414 517 C203
Proc.B
psi 10 25 3035 50 60 75
Limiting Oxygen Index
Minimum		% 24 24 2424 24 24 24 D2863
Additional Compressive Resistance Properties**
Compressive Resistance
@ 5% Deformation
Minimum		 kPa 35 55 90 115 170 241 300 D1621
Proc.A
psi 5.1 8.0 13.1 16.7 24.7 35.0 43.5
Compressive Resistance
@ 10% Deformation
Minimum		 kPa 40 70 110 135 200 276 345 D1621
Proc.A
psi 5.8 10.2 16.0 19.6 29.0 40.0 50

* The test methods used to determine the above material properties provide a means of comparing different rigid, cellular polystyrene geofoam products. They are intended for use in specifications, product evaluations and quality control, but they are not intended to predict end-use product performance.   ** Compressive resistance at 5% and 10% deformation are provided for applications where the intended end-use includes plastic (permanent) deformation under load.

Additional Properties for all Types

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) resists mold & fungi growth per ASTM C1338 and has no nutritional value for insects. To protect against insects/termites and water-vapor, place adequate physical barriers such as membranes around below-grade EPS. Where needed use adequate drainage to limit water absorption; Capillarity: None
Poisson's Ratio: ν ≈0.12 within the elastic range
Coefficient of Friction: μ ≈0.5-0.7 along clean faces
Max. Service Temperature: Long-Term Exposure 75°C [167°F], Intermittent Exposure 80°C [176°F]; Thermal expansion coefficient: 5-7•10-5/°K
Solubility: Insoluble in water and in general chemically inert. EPS dissolves in hydrocarbons (e.g. fuels, oils, tar), organic solvents (e.g. acetone/ketones, benzene, paint thinner), ethers, esters, aldehydes and amines. UV-light surface degradation: white EPS can be exposed to direct sunlight for a few weeks. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light creates a yellow dust on the surface of EPS which has negligible impact on the products' properties but may require removal before adhering other materials such as coatings or self-adhesive membranes.
Surface Burning Characteristics Canada CAN/ULC-S102.2: Flame-Spread Rating ≤295, Smoke Developed Classification over 500.   USA ASTM E84 (UL 723): Flame Spread Index ≤25, Smoke-Developed Index ≤450 up to 6" thick
Limiting Oxygen Index: min. 24% per ASTM D2863. Airfoam's EPS for construction use contains a polymeric (non-HBCD) fire retardant modifier.
CAUTION: EPS products are combustible and must not be exposed to excessive heat, sparks, open flames, or any other sources of ignition. If stored/used in closed containers, confined, or low-lying areas, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent accumulation of flammable pentane vapours. Prevent inhalation of smoke, fumes or dust from burning or fabrication activities. GHS Classification: Non-Hazardous, see SDS and Fire Safety Bulletin

Stress-Strain Curves of EPS Geofoam Types