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Styrene Information & Research Center

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About Styrene

 Styrene [‘stī-,rēn] is a clear, colorless liquid that is synthesized for commercial use from petroleum and natural gas by-products. Styrene also occurs naturally in the environment and is an inherent component in small concentrations of many commonly-consumed foods and beverages, such as coffee, strawberries, and cinnamon.

Styrene is an essential component of materials used to make thousands of remarkably strong, flexible, and light-weight products for home, school, work, and play. These products range from convenient food containers and protective packaging materials to computer housings; consumer electronics; medical applications; components for automobiles, trucks, trains, boats, aircraft, and other means of transport; wind-energy parts; construction and water treatment products; building insulation; military personnel and vehicle armor; ballistic protection; fuel cells; gasoline and other storage tanks; protective sports gear, such as bicycle helmets; and many other important items. Styrene production and the manufacture of products derived from styrene represent an important part of the U.S. economy and these products enhance quality of life by providing improved energy efficiency, performance, and cost efficiencies.

Styrene: Chemical Identity & Physical Properties

General Information

Chemical NameStyrene
SynonymsCinnamene, ethenylbenzene, phenylethylene, styrol, vinylbenzene
Chemical formulaC8H8
Chemical structure
Molecular weight104.15 g/mol
ColorColorless to yellow
OdorSweet, aromatic (if pure)
Sharp, penetrating, unpleasant (commercial grades)
Physical StateOily liquid
Identification numbersCAS Registry: 100 -42 -5
EINICS: 202 -851 -5
DOT/UN/NA/IMDG shipping: IMDG 3.3; UN 2055
Published by SIRC, Jan.2014
Adapted from ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Styrene and the website of the European Styrene Producers Association.

Physical Properties

CharacteristicProperty
Melting point/freezing point-30.6 °C (-23.1 °F)
Boiling point145.2 °C (293.4 °F)
Density at 20 °C0.9059 g/cm3
Odor threshold:
Water
Air

0.73 mg/L
0.1 ppm (0.43 mg/m3 )
Solubility:
Water at 20 °C
Organic solvents

300 mg/L (0.03% wt.vol.)
Soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, carbon disulfide
Partition coefficients:
Log KOW
Log KOC

2.95
2.96
Vapor density (air = 1)3.6
Vapor pressure at 20 °C5 mmHG (5 mbar)
Henry’s law constant (at 25 °C)0.00261 atm-m3 /mol (calculated)
Autoignition temperature490 °C (914 °F)
Explosive limits in air0.9-6.8% vol.
Flashpoint31 °C (87 °F), closed cup
34.4 °C (93.9 °F), Tag open cup
Flammability limits0.9-1.1 (lower); 6.1-6.8 (higher)
Conversion factors1 mg/m3 =0.23 ppm
1 ppm=4.33 mg/m3
Published by SIRC, Jan.2014
Adapted from ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Styrene and the website of the European Styrene Producers Association.

Click here for a printable download of styrene’s physical properties and chemical identity.

Additional valuable resources on styrene:

Styrene Monomer: Safe Handling Guide (Plastics Europe)

Chemtrec: CHEMical TRansportation Emergency Center

Styrene Science

Styrene Science

SIRC’s comprehensive research program seeks to better understand the potential for styrene to affect human health.

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Styrene Policy

The Styrene Information & Research Center (SIRC) monitors the regulatory activity on styrene.

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Styrene FAQs

Learn more about styrene in the community, the environment, and the workplace.

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