Lynn wrote: <I'm not online at the moment, so I can't go Googling, but I believe "styrofoam" is a brand name for "expanded polystyrene foam".>
Like a vaccum cleaner being referred to often as a hoover, or a ball-point pen a biro, regardless of what brand it is, in the UK: the grey slightly rubbery stuff like a very fine sponge that can be bent is ethafoam (really polyethylene foam). the rigid white stuff obviously made of beads, which get everywhere if the item breaks or is cut, used for moulded packaging, filling bean bags, and vending cups is referred to as polystyrene (really expanded polystyrene). and the stuff which comes in rigid (often blue) boards used as insulation, which can be sawn, or as coloured meat packing trays and, usually, white vending cups, with even smaller bubbles than ethafoam is referred to styrofoam (really polystyrene foam). Apparently it's also known as 'Polystyrene Foam Wood', at least in boat building. It's much easier, if lazier, to say polystyrene or styrofoam than expanded polystyrene and polystyrene foam. Everyone in the UK knows what's being described, even if people in other countries don't, but then each country's got its own jargon for lots of things. We cook and run central heating on gas (which isn't a liquid) and fill our cars with petrol. If you really want the history of polystyrene try: http://www.polyesterconverters.com/pcl_apps/stage1/stage2/applications_and_e nduses/historyofpolystyrene.htm in which: "What we commonly call styrofoam, is actually the most recognizable form of foam polystyrene packaging. Styrofoam� is a Dow Chemical Co. trademarked form of polystyrene foam insulation, introduced in the U.S. in 1954. Styrofoam� is a trademarked name, the real name of the product is foamed polystyrene. " Jean in Poole - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
