Lakeland Plastics manufactures high-quality HIPS extrusions designed to deliver reliable impact resistance, excellent surface finish, and cost-effective performance for a wide range of applications.
Material Name: High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
HIPS, or high impact polystyrene, is a versatile thermoplastic widely used in plastic extrusion for applications that require a balance of rigidity, toughness, and affordability. Known for its excellent impact resistance compared to standard polystyrene, HIPS is easy to process, fabricate, and customize into a wide variety of profiles. Its smooth surface finish and ability to accept printing, painting, and laminating make it a popular choice for both functional and decorative extrusion components across industrial, commercial, and consumer applications.
HIPS: Definition
High impact polystyrene (HIPS) is a modified form of polystyrene created by adding rubber (typically polybutadiene) to improve toughness and impact resistance. This modification transforms otherwise brittle polystyrene into a more durable, impact-resistant material while maintaining ease of extrusion and cost efficiency. HIPS is an amorphous thermoplastic that offers consistent dimensional stability, good machinability, and a smooth finish, making it well-suited for custom extrusion profiles and fabricated components.
Pros of HIPS
- Excellent impact resistance compared to general purpose polystyrene
- Cost-effective material for high-volume production
- Easy to extrude, machine, and fabricate
- Smooth surface finish ideal for printing, painting, and laminating
- Good dimensional stability for consistent profiles
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Suitable for vacuum forming and secondary operations
- Good electrical insulating properties
Cons of HIPS
- Lower heat resistance compared to engineered plastics
- Limited UV resistance without stabilizing additives
- Less chemical resistance than materials like HDPE or PP
- Can become brittle in very cold environments
- Not ideal for high-load structural applications
- Susceptible to scratching without surface treatments
HIPS Extrusion Products
- Custom HIPS profiles and channels
- HIPS sheets, strips, and flat extrusions
- HIPS rods and solid shapes
- Trim pieces and edge guards
- Display and signage profiles
- Protective covers and housings
- Lightweight structural components
- Specialty extrusion shapes
HIPS Extrusion Applications
- Retail displays and point-of-purchase fixtures
- Packaging components and protective inserts
- Appliance housings and liners
- Automotive interior trim components
- Industrial equipment covers and guards
- Signage and graphic display systems
- Consumer product housings and enclosures
- Light-duty structural and decorative applications
Custom HIPS Plastic Extrusions
At Lakeland Plastics, custom HIPS extrusion is focused on delivering cost-effective, high-quality solutions tailored to your exact application. HIPS offers an ideal combination of impact resistance, surface finish, and ease of fabrication, making it a strong choice for both functional and visually driven components. Whether you need simple profiles, complex shapes, or extrusions designed for secondary operations, our team works closely with you from concept through production to ensure precision, consistency, and performance. While HIPS is an excellent option for many applications, we also offer a wide range of additional thermoplastic materials—allowing us to recommend the best solution based on your specific performance and aesthetic requirements.
HIPS Plastic Extrusion Capabilities
Lakeland Plastics provides comprehensive HIPS extrusion capabilities supported by advanced equipment, in-house tooling, and experienced engineering teams. HIPS processes efficiently and delivers consistent results, making it ideal for both standard and custom extrusion projects. Our capabilities include:
- Custom HIPS profiles in a wide range of shapes and sizes
- HIPS sheet, rod, and strip extrusion for diverse applications
- Co-extrusion and tri-extrusion for enhanced functionality or visual appeal
- Post-extrusion fabrication including cutting, punching, drilling, assembly, and finishing
- Decorative and functional components such as trims, display profiles, housings, and protective covers
With 12 production lines, advanced cooling and sizing systems, and strict quality control standards, Lakeland Plastics supports everything from prototyping to high-volume production. Every HIPS extrusion is manufactured with consistent dimensional accuracy, clean surface quality, and dependable performance for a wide range of industries.