High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Fabrication Specialists
Advantages of High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
HIPS is highly regarded for its toughness, exceptional dimensional stability, and ease of processing, making it an ideal choice for both structural housings and detailed point-of-sale displays.
Key Properties of HIPS
- Superior impact strength for heavy-duty use
- Low-gloss, matte aesthetic for a professional finish
- Exceptional thermoforming and vacuum-forming capabilities
- Highly compatible with adhesives and mechanical fixings
- Rigid yet lightweight construction
- Precision-ready for CNC machining and routing
- High dimensional stability for complex geometries
- FDA-compliant grades available for food contact
These characteristics establish HIPS as a highly cost-effective and reliable material for fabricated components that demand structural integrity, ease of manufacture, and consistent surface quality.
HIPS Fabrication Services at Dipec
Leveraging decades of technical proficiency and high-end machinery, Dipec produces premium High Impact Polystyrene components tailored to your precise engineering requirements.
CNC Machining & Routing
High-accuracy milling and routing to generate clean-cut, dimensionally stable HIPS parts for industrial housings, internal liners, and commercial signage.
Vacuum Forming & Thermoforming
HIPS is a premier material for heat-forming, allowing us to create complex, deep-draw 3D shapes and crisp folded geometries with exceptional structural uniformity.
HIPS Bonding & Mechanical Fastening
We employ specialised solvent bonding and mechanical assembly techniques to create high-strength, permanent joints for robust enclosures and multi-part displays.
Precision Cutting & Sheet Preparation
Utilising advanced CNC saws and trimming equipment, we ensure HIPS panels are sized with absolute accuracy, providing burr-free edges and consistent tolerances for every batch.
Surface Finishing & Texturing
HIPS can be processed to maintain its signature matte aesthetic or treated for specific tactile requirements, making it ideal for professional-grade equipment covers.
Rapid Prototyping & Scaled Production
From initial functional prototypes to high-volume manufacturing runs, our HIPS fabrication process ensures repeatable quality and strict adherence to your design specifications.
Common Applications of HIPS
High Impact Polystyrene’s combination of rigidity, impact resistance, and excellent forming properties makes it a go-to material for diverse industrial and commercial sectors, including:
- Durable equipment housings and internal liners
- Point-of-sale (POS) displays and retail signage
- Vacuum-formed trays and transit packaging
- Medical and pharmaceutical storage components
- Automotive interior trims and dash assemblies
- Kitchen and bathroom appliance panels
- Prototyping for consumer electronics and shells
HIPS Grades & Thicknesses Available
High Impact Polystyrene is supplied in a versatile range of specifications and finishes to meet diverse structural and aesthetic fabrication needs.
Common options include:
- Standard matte/satin HIPS
- High-gloss finish grades
- Food-grade (FDA-compliant) HIPS
- UV-resistant grades (for controlled exposure)
- Corona-treated sheets (optimised for digital printing)
Our standard inventory thicknesses typically range from 0.5mm to 8mm, though bespoke gauges and specialty colours can be sourced to meet specific project requirements.
Your Trusted Partner for Expert HIPS Fabrication
With decades of technical experience across diverse sectors, Dipec provides:
✔ Advanced CNC machining and thermoforming mastery
✔ Highly skilled fabricators with specialist HIPS material knowledge
✔ Rapid lead times and cost-efficient production solutions
✔ Comprehensive project management from initial concept to final dispatch
✔ Stringent quality control across every manufactured part
✔ A proven track record delivering for industrial and commercial markets
We manufacture HIPS components that reliably deliver on structural durability, surface finish, and long-term performance standards.
Need Expert HIPS Plastic Fabrication?
Contact Dipec Today for a Quote.
High Impact Polystyrene FAQs
Standard Polystyrene (GPPS) is naturally brittle and transparent. High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is modified with polybutadiene rubber during polymerisation, which grants it superior impact resistance and a distinctive opaque, matte appearance.
In its standard form, HIPS is not UV stable and can become brittle or discoloured when exposed to direct sunlight over time. For outdoor applications, we recommend specifying UV-stabilised HIPS grades or applying a protective capping.
Yes, HIPS is 100% recyclable and carries the resin identification code 6. Unlike expanded polystyrene (foam), rigid HIPS sheets are highly valued in closed-loop recycling systems and can be reprocessed into new high-quality sheets.
While both are impact-resistant, HIPS is generally more cost-effective and easier to thermoform. ABS offers higher tensile strength and better heat resistance, making HIPS the preferred choice for internal components or light-to-medium duty external shells.
Yes, many HIPS grades are FDA-compliant and meet European food contact regulations. Its resistance to moisture and ease of forming make it a standard material for yogurt pots, refrigerator liners, and food trays.
HIPS typically has a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of around 70°C to 80°C. It is not recommended for high-heat environments where temperatures consistently exceed 85°C.
Absolutely. HIPS is a favorite in the printing industry due to its excellent ink adhesion. It is compatible with digital, screen, and offset printing, often used for high-impact retail signage and promotional graphics.
HIPS offers good resistance to alkalis and certain acids but can be susceptible to aromatic hydrocarbons and some organic solvents. We recommend a chemical compatibility test for applications involving prolonged exposure to industrial cleaners.
HIPS has an exceptionally wide thermoforming window, meaning it remains pliable over a broad temperature range. This reduces reject rates during deep-draw vacuum forming and allows for high-definition detail on complex moulds.
While HIPS naturally has a soft matte finish, it is available in high-gloss, wood-grain, and textured varieties. It is also one of the easiest plastics to paint or silk-screen after fabrication.
Yes, HIPS possesses excellent dielectric strength and high volume resistivity, making it suitable for insulating components in consumer electronics and electrical enclosures.
In the additive manufacturing sector, HIPS is frequently used as a dissolvable support material for ABS prints because it dissolves completely in Limonene, leaving a clean finish on the primary part.
HIPS has extremely low moisture absorption, which ensures dimensional stability even in humid environments. This makes it ideal for bathroom cabinets and medical storage units.
At Dipec, we typically work with HIPS sheet thicknesses ranging from 0.5mm for lightweight packaging up to 8mm or 10mm for structural industrial components.
Yes, HIPS responds very well to solvent bonding, creating a “welded” joint that is often as strong as the material itself. It is also compatible with many structural adhesives and cyanoacrylates.
HIPS is one of the most economical engineering plastics available. Its low raw material cost, combined with fast cycle times in CNC machining and forming, significantly reduces the total cost per part.
While it is “High Impact,” HIPS can become more brittle as temperatures drop. For cold-storage applications, we specify rubber-modified grades designed to maintain ductility at sub-zero temperatures.
Yes. Due to its excellent dimensional stability, HIPS does not warp or shrink significantly during the machining process, allowing for the high-precision tolerances required in industrial assemblies.
Standard HIPS typically carries a UL94 HB rating. For projects requiring stricter fire safety compliance, we can source flame-retardant (FR) HIPS grades that meet higher safety standards.