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Expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste also known as Styrofoam is a common material found in packaging and insulation applications and presents significant environmental challenges due to its nonbiodegradable nature. To address this issue, researchers have explored EPS waste as a potential polymer matrix for developing composite materials. Many researchers have studied the physical, mechanical, and thermal behavior of EPS‐based materials. Therefore, this review provides the current state of knowledge regarding the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of EPS‐based composites. The effect of reinforcement content, filler size, EPS content, processing method, and other factors that affect the properties of EPS‐based composites is covered in this review. The physical properties examined include density, porosity, and water absorption properties, while the mechanical behavior encompasses tensile strength, impact strength, and flexural resistance of EPS waste–based materials. This review also identifies key findings from various studies and discusses the influence of EPS waste on the overall performance of the composites. Moreover, it highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with utilizing EPS waste in composite materials, along with potential avenues for future research. Overall, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and stakeholders interested in understanding the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of EPS waste–based composites and their potential applications in sustainable material development, thereby enhancing the commercial value of recycled materials.
Seid et al. (Wed,) studied this question.