HIPS
High impact polystyrene, rubber-modified so the part bends instead of shattering. The sheet material behind refrigerator liners, vending cups and thermoformed packaging.
Toughness bought with transparency
HIPS is polystyrene with polybutadiene rubber dispersed through it. The rubber particles absorb and arrest crack propagation, which turns a brittle polymer into one that deforms under impact. The same particles scatter light, so HIPS is opaque where GPPS is clear.
It thermoforms well, takes print and lamination, and is straightforward to injection mould. For most enquiries the decision between GPPS and HIPS comes down to a single question: does the part need to survive being dropped?
- Sheet extrusion grades for thermoforming and packaging.
- Refrigeration liner grades with resistance to blowing agents.
- Injection grades for housings and technical mouldings.
HIPS grades we supply
A focused range covering the main sheet and injection applications. Additional producer grades can be sourced against a confirmed order.
- HIPS 7240
- HIPS 7055
- HIPS 4125
What decides the HIPS grade
Rubber content sets the balance between toughness and stiffness. Everything else follows from how the sheet or part is processed.
- Rubber content: more rubber gives impact strength and costs stiffness and gloss.
- Melt flow rate: low for sheet extrusion, higher for injection moulding.
- Gloss level: matt or high-gloss depending on whether the surface is visible.
- Environmental stress crack resistance: critical for refrigeration liner service.
- Food-contact compliance: required for most cup, tray and dairy applications.
Typical HIPS applications
HIPS lives in thermoformed sheet and in mouldings that need a tough, printable surface at low cost.
- Refrigerator and freezer liners
- Vending cups and dairy pots
- Thermoformed trays and clamshells
- Printed and laminated packaging sheet
- Appliance housings and panels
- Toys and household mouldings
- Point-of-sale and signage sheet
- Protective transit trays
Specifying HIPS for sheet or injection?
Send us the gauge, the forming depth and the surface finish you need. We will confirm which grade suits the line.