Vinyl Vs Styrene

A colourless oily liquid used in the manufacture of polymers such as polystyrene.

Vinyl vs styrene.

Styrene is chemically called vinyl benzene and is among one of the oldest known vinyl compounds in the world. Lighter than vinyl labels are glued on not pressed into the record styrene records are injection moulded not pressed like vinyl has a flat outer edge instead of the sharp one you usually see with vinyl doesn t warp like vinyl but breaks much easier feels more brittle. Styrene signs are also categorized as a vinyl. I ve noticed less hiss and less rumble on styrene pressings.

It s also considered an aromatic hydrocarbon. Styrene ˈstʌɪriːn is an organic compound with the chemical formula c 6 h 5 ch ch 2 this derivative of benzene is a colorless oily liquid although aged samples can appear yellowish the compound evaporates easily and has a sweet smell although high concentrations have a less pleasant odor. This aromatic compound was first isolated from certain natural resins in 1839. The record has a more uniform thickness throughout and the styrene feels lighter in weight but is more rigid than vinyl.

Styrene labels are also stickers whereas vinyl labels are pressed onto the surface and won t peel off like a sticker would. The key difference between styrene and polystyrene is that it is the polymerization of styrene that forms polystyrene a synthetic thermoplastic elastomer. Vinyl is crushed plastic biscuits and heated into a flat record including the label. On a vinyl record it will be a duller tock tock sound.

Vinyl seems to resonate more than styrene. Styrene is an injection mold process injecting polystyrene into the stampers the labels were glued on afterward. Styrene is used as a flavoring ingredient and also ends up in food from packaging. Tap the plastic with your fingernail.

On a styrene record you ll get a higher pitched tink tink sound. The surface is quieter than vinyl and as long as you don t play it with a poor quality stylus it will stay quiet. Styrene is the precursor to polystyrene and several copolymers. I actually quite like styrene if it s a mint copy.

This process was used because the stampers lasted longer more profits as they didnt go through the tough heating process that vinyl did. High impact polystyrene hips and rigid vinyl sometimes referred to as pvc or rpvc are often the main films considered for a variety of lower cost applications such as point of purchase signage shelf danglers membership and loyalty cards and tags to name a few.