Why is Styrene Used in the Manufacture of American Solo Cups?
Let's talk about styrene records - You might be surprised to hear that not all vinyl records are actually made of vinyl! That's right, some records, especially old 7" singles from the US, are crafted from styrene—the same stuff as disposable plates and cups, but treated differently. From 1951 to 1991, many US labels, including Columbia, issued their 45s on styrene. These records were pressed using injection moulding and had labels glued on later. Not every US single was made of styrene, but quite a few from that era were.
This process helped the record stampers last longer. However, after numerous plays, styrene records may degrade more quickly compared to traditional vinyl records. Nevertheless, a pristine and new styrene record can still play and look spectacular, matching the quality of a standard vinyl record.
Now, you might wonder, how do I spot a styrene record? The easiest way is by giving it a light tap on a hard surface. Styrene records have a brighter ring compared to vinyl's dull thud. You can also identify them by their appearance. Styrene records tend to have a uniform, shiny look, with the grooves being less noticeable. They also feature a squared-off edge, unlike vinyl's tapered edge.
We've found that well-preserved styrene records can deliver a very crisp and bright sound. This makes sense since styrene is a harder material than vinyl. Check out our collection of US promos here if you're interested in exploring styrene records!
Some additional info about styrene records: **- Material: Styrene records are made from polystyrene, a rigid plastic.- Sound Quality: Styrene records have a more brittle sound compared to vinyl, with a higher noise floor and less dynamic range.- Durability: Styrene records are more prone to cracking and breaking due to their rigidity and lack of flexibility.- Appearance:** Styrene records often appear more transparent and might have a slightly different sheen compared to vinyl.
On the other hand, vinyl records:- Material: Vinyl records are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a more flexible material.- Sound Quality: Vinyl is known for its warm sound and better dynamic range.- Durability: Vinyl is generally more flexible and less prone to cracking compared to styrene.- Appearance: Vinyl records have a more opaque appearance and can come in various colors.
- Exploring the realm of US promos, you might discover a variety of styrene records, delivering a crisp and bright sound due to their hard material.
- In contrast to styrene records, vinyl records, made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are renowned for their warm sound quality and better dynamic range.
