Influence of recycling in the dynamic mechanical properties of expanded polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a cellular material widely used in energy-absorbing systems due to its ability to dissipate kinetic energy through compression. EPS can be recycled, offering a promising avenue for sustainable material use. This study aims to characterize the mechanical response of recycled EPS under dynamic loading conditions. Both external factors (temperature, impact velocity) and internal factors (density, recycling ratio) were investigated, and the behavior of recycled EPS was compared to that of classical material. The results show that recycled EPS exhibits no significant sensitivity to temperature within the range of −20°C to 18°C. However, its mechanical response is strongly influenced by impact velocity and foam density. No statistical difference was observed between recycled and classical EPS at a density of 60 kg/m 3 . In contrast, at 80 kg/m 3 , recycling induced a marked shift in the stress–strain curves, indicating that higher densities amplify the effects of the recycling process on mechanical performance.