What is the key difference in molecular structure between general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)?

The key difference in molecular structure between general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) is the presence of dispersed rubber particles in the HIPS matrix, which are absent in GPPS. GPPS is a homopolymer of styrene, meaning it consists only of styrene monomers linked together in a long chain. It is a rigid, brittle, and transparent material. HIPS, on the other hand, is a modified form of polystyrene that contains small rubber particles (typically polybutadiene) dispersed throughout the polystyrene matrix. These rubber particles act as stress concentrators, absorbing energy and preventing cracks from propagating through the material. The rubber particles are typically grafted to the polystyrene chains to improve their compatibility and prevent them from separating from the matrix. The presence of the rubber particles significantly improves the impact strength and toughness of HIPS compared to GPPS, making it less brittle and more resistant to cracking under impact. While GPPS consists only of polystyrene chains, HIPS is a two-phase system consisting of a polystyrene matrix and dispersed rubber particles.