Acronym and details: PS
Group: thermoplastic
Developed: became a usable material in 1930s but not used commercially until after World War II
Trade names: Lacqrene; Polystyrol; Styron
Manufacturing process: usually injection moulding; also extrusion; fabrication: especially cutting and sticking; foaming; thermoforming
Cost: very low
Colour: any, including streak and pearlised effects
Transparency: transparent to opaque
Rigidity: hard, except when foamed
Feel: always rigid
Smell: none
Other: can be brittle but can be toughened, e.g. high impact polystyrene (HIPS); metallic ring when tapped; good for bonding
Typical uses: disposable pens and razors; cutlery and vending cups; CD cases; yogurt pots; model kits; insulation and packaging food trays, hamburger and egg boxes, electronic equipment, when foamed
Degradation: crazing and discolours