What is Mirror Polystyrene and where is it used?

Special decorative qualities, as well as performance characteristics, made such mirror polymeric materials as acrylic and polyvinyl chloride popular. Today we will focus on mirror polystyrene, which also belongs to this group. Consider its types, characteristics, list the areas where it can be applied.

High-impact mirror polystyrene is a sheet material that belongs to the group of polymer mirrors. Composite synthetic rubber is used as a raw material for the mirror sheet. The rubber raw material plays an important role in this material: it prevents the appearance of cracks on the surface, due to its properties, the strength increases, and reliable operation is possible.

The reflective layer is a mirrored polyester film with an aluminum coating and glued to a polystyrene surface.

The reflective side will be the base, therefore this is where a protective film is needed to avoid damage to the coating.

The advantages of mirror polystyrene are obvious: it is durable, flexible, frost-resistant, and also little susceptible to damage... Of the minuses, it can be noted flammability of the material.

There are other properties of polystyrene mirrors:

• resistance to aggressive chemical influences, not destroyed;
• shock resistance;
• difficult to cut and scratch;
• the rubber in the composition does not allow the formation of microcracks;
• maximum operating temperature - +70 degrees;
• perfect imitation of a mirror;
• ease of processing;
• polystyrene mirror sheets have a sheet thickness of 1 to 3 mm (thicker specimens will become stiff and brittle).

Mirror polystyrene has several varieties. The ceiling surface is most often finished with rectangular or square tiles.

If we talk about design, then there are the following types:

• glossy;
• matte;
• tinted;
• with drawing;
• white;
• colored;
• painted in silver or gold, varnished;
• with a real mirror.

Today the Russian market is replete with mirror polymers, which are produced both in Russia and in other countries: Germany, Italy, Austria. We also note individual manufacturers: these are the German companies Plexiglas Mirror, as well as Metzler, Aulen from China, the Italian company Saispecchi S. r. l., Sibu (Austria), domestic producers Gebau and E-Plast.

The plates also differ in size. They are:

• 2000x1000x1 mm;
• 2000x1000x2 mm;
• 2440x1220x1.5 mm;
• 2440x1220x2 mm;
• 3000x1220x2 mm;
• 3000x1220x3 mm.

The use of mirror material has a number of features. Despite the fact that polystyrene is highly moisture resistant, the end parts and cut parts should be protected from moisture in order to avoid delamination. To do this, they must be protected in any way. It is quite easy to care for products or finishing made of mirror polystyrene. Wipe the surface with a soft cloth or sponge dipped in acrylic-based glass cleaner. The processing of mirror-coated polystyrene is not particularly difficult.

For this, there are certain rules that must be taken into account:

• holes in mirrored polystyrene best done with drilling equipment at high speeds, while drilling should be from the side of the mirror film, and the protective film should be removed;
• laser cutting must be made from the side of the material without coating;
• when cutting segments with any mechanical tool, you should release the planned cutting line from the protective film;
• mirror polystyrene adheres well to different surfaces; neoprene-based adhesives can be used for gluing;
• to reduce the likelihood of overheating and deformation of the material in question, it is necessary to cool the surface in the places of processing.

Polystyrene mirror tiles look pretty impressive. It is not surprising that it is loved by designers, builders and creative personalities who prefer to decorate the interior on their own. Such material is often used for interior decoration of rooms: floor and ceiling.

However, it should be borne in mind that reflective polystyrene tiles have a minus - the reflection in the mirror surface is not always perfect, it is slightly distorted. This is because the ceiling is rarely even, often there are some bends and irregularities on it, which is what the tile, together with the mirror, conveys by its shape. Therefore, it is advisable to level the ceiling before installing the tiles.

Material with a reflective effect is widely used in the manufacture of advertising products, decor, interior signs and other products and items of an informational nature. Given the low thickness and good flexibility of the mirror material, it can be used to finish curved surfaces.

As an example, we can note the use of material in kindergartens, schools, as well as when decorating large areas with mirrors.

As already stated, delamination of the material must not be allowed, therefore the ends of the sheets must be protected from moisture... It is for this reason that experts do not recommend using mirror polystyrene for outdoor work.

The video below explains how to properly cut mirrored polystyrene.