I have been thinking about a post like this for a while. There are now a lot of EPS blank producers popping up. Most of the discussion has been on templates and foam densities, but there is virtually no information on what type of EPS is being used. Yes, there are different types of EPS and a quick search of EPS resin suppliers shows that there are a variety of EPS “formulations”. Some are probably better for blanks than others (like why does some 2# seem spongy and other 2# harder?). I’m sure people like Greg Loehr have investigated this, but I haven’t seen anyone talking about it. Just a read of the resin suppliers info suggests that an effort should be made to know what resins are being used for blanks.
http://www.epsmolders.org/2-cold.html
http://www.huntsman.com/polymers/index.cfm?PageID=6017
http://www.novachem.com/EPS/docs/EPS_Product_Chart.pdf
http://www2.basf.de/basf2/html/plastics/englisch/pages/schaum/styropor_sort.htm
So basically you are saying that Oompa Loompa’s have nothing to do with the production of EPS. Dagnabbit!.