In the last 200 years, rapid advances in construction materials technology have enabled engineers to achieve impressive gains in the safety, economy, and functionality of structures built to serve the common needs of society. Through such gains, the health and standard of living of individuals are improved. Polymers have become increasingly important as engineering materials in the past decade and applications in the construction industry are expanding. In Europe, around 20% of plastic consumption is in this industry, i.e., around 5 million tons per year.This review outlines the nature, culture and trends in the building and construction industry. Materials used in construction applications must possess critical properties, depending on the exact use. In general the important property requirements are mechanical, weathering, permeability, flammability and thermal conductivity properties. The environmental impact is also important as global concerns are increasing about pollution, depletion of energy sources and re-use or recycling of waste products. Polymer foams are extensively used for insulation, primarily polystyrene, PVC, phenol-formaldehyde and polyurethane. Structural foams have also been developed from materials such as polyolefin’s, polycarbonate and ABS.
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