Abbreviation

Full Name

Brand Names

Properties

Applications

ABS

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene

Cycolac, Magnum, Novodur

Tough, opaque, rigid, hard, high gloss

Automotive, office machines, domestic appliances, refrigeration, pipe fittings

ASA

Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylonitrile

Luran S, Geloy

Rigid, transparent, tougher alternative to Styrene

Automotive, telephones, traffic signs, electric fan components, wash basins

BDS

Butadiene Styrene Block Copolymer

(See also SBC/SBS)

Kibiton

Tough, crystal clear

Medical products, drawing instruments

EVA

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer

Evatane, Escorene

Tough, semi-opaque, flexible, good low temperature properties

Food packaging, surgical products, ice cube trays, bicycle saddles

HDPE (PE-HD)

High Density Polyethylene

Rigidex, Lutene

Tough, semi-rigid, translucent, excellent weatherability/chemical resistance

Containers, bottle crates, food storage boxes, housewares, dustbins, pipe fittings

HIPS

High Impact Polystyrene

Lacqrene, Polystyrol, Styron A-Tech

Rigid, hard, translucent

Household appliances, toys, disposable cups, toilet seats

LCP

Liquid Crystal Polymer

Vectra, Xydar

High stiffness, excellent stability at high temperatures,

Precision parts, stainless steel and ceramic repalecement, electrical connectors, surgical instruments, dental tools

LDPE (PE-LD)

Low Density Polyethylene

Lupolen, Escorene, Hostalen

Flexible, translucent, durable, good weatherability/low temperature performance, excellent chemical resistance

Lids and closures, containers, bins, laundry baskets

LLDPE

Linear Low Density Polyethylene

Dowlex, Escorene, Innovex

Stronger and tougher than LDPE, better mechanical properties at low and high temperatures

Closures, screw caps, cold room containers, high quality housewares, toys

MDPE (PE-MD)

Medium Density Polyethylene

Marlex, Rigidex

Fits midway between High and Low Density Polyethylene

Containers, closures, pipe fittings

PA

Polyamide (Nylon)

PA6

Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6)

Akulon, Ultramid, Technyl

Rigid, tough, translucent, resistance to oils, good dialectric resistance, hard wearing

Gears, bearings, bushes

PA11

Polyamide 11 (Nylon 11)

Rilsan, Lubricomp, Thermocomp, Grilamid

As for Nylon 6 but better performance over wider range of temperatures

Cable ties, aircraft battery cases, sports equipment

PA12

Polyamide 12 (Nylon 12)

PA46

Polyamide 46 (Nylon 46)

Stanyl

PA66

Polyamide 66 (Nylon 66)

Zytel, Maranyl, Akulon

Higher impact strength and better low temperature properties than Nylon 6

Automotive fans, door handles and filters, kitchen appliance housings

PAA6

Polyarylamide

Ixef

High rigidity, excellent strength, high temperature performance comparable to metals

Automotive under bonnet components and door handles, electric motor housings, furniture

PBT

Polybutylene Terephthalate

Arnite, Valox, Celanex

Rigid, extremely tough, clear, wide operating temperature range

Automotive windscreen wiper arms and door handles, electronic parts, household appliances

PC

Polycarbonate

Calibre, Makrolon, Lexan

Rigid, tough, excellent impact resistance, good weatherability and dimensional stability

Medical, glazing, lighting, CDs/DVDs, spectacles, safety helmets, automotive light covers and clear roof panels

PC/ABS

Polycarbonate/ABS blend

Bayblend, Pulse

Combination of PC and ABS properties

Similar applications to ABS but where greater toughness required

PE

Polyethylene

Rigidex, Lupolen

PEEK

Polyether Etherketone

Victrex

Outstanding stability at wide temperature range, high cost, specialist

Chemotherapy devices, surgical tools, microwave grills

PEI

Polyetherimide

Ultem

High strength, excellent flame and heat resistance

Medical devices, electrical insulators, pharmaceutical process equipment

PET

Polyethylene Terephthalate

Arnite A, Impet, Valox

Tough, good impact strength, clear, good high temperature performance

Blow moulded bottles

PES

Polyethersulphone

Radel A, Victrex

Tough, wide operating temperature, self-extinguishing

Microwave grills and dishes, medical respirators, dental reamers

PMMA

Polymethyl Methacrylate (Acrylic)

Diakon, Plexiglas

Hard, rigid, crystal clear, good weatherability

Lenses. Lighting covers (indoor and outdoor), automotive rear light lenses

POM

Polyoxymethylene (Acetal)(Polyformaldehyde)

Delrin, Hostaform, Iupital

Rigid, very tough, translucent, good dimensional stability and electrical properties

Gears, bearings, electric kettles, plumbing fittings, valve and pump housings, automotive fuel systems

POM-H

Acetal Homopolymer

Delrin, Hostaform, Iupital

Higher rigidity and resistance to fatigue than copolymers

POM-K

Acetal Copolymer

Delrin, Hostaform, Iupital

Better resistance to hot water and alkalis and better long term temperature properties than homopolymers

PP

Polypropylene

Novolen, Capilene, Innovene

Semi rigid, translucent, excellent chemical resistance, good recyclability

Crates and bins, housewares, washing machine drums, plumbing fittings, kettle bodies, automotive bumpers and dashboards

PPE

Polyphenylene Ether

Noryl

See PPO

PPO

Polyphenylene Oxide (usually modified – PPO-M)

Noryl, Luranyl

Rigid, tough, opaque, wide operating temperature, excellent dialectric properties, may be self extinguishing

Washing machine, dishwasher and pump components, electrical and automotive components

PPS

Polyphenylene Sulphide

Fortron, Ryton

Rigid, tough, high temperature resistance (continuous use up to 240C), good mechanical and insulation properties

Often used as aluminium replacement, connectors, terminal blocks, sockets, coil formers, relay components, automotive ignition parts

PPVC (PVC-P)

Plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride

Solvic, Vinnol

Flexible, strong, high abrasion resistance, good weathering properties

Footwear, garden hoses, electric cable insulation

PS (GPPS)

Polystyrene

Lacqrene, Polystyrol

Rigid, high gloss and transparency, brittle

Toys, disposable tumblers, containers

PSU

Polysulphone

Udel

Tough, wide operating temperature, self-extinguishing, amber colour,

Microwave grills and dishes, dental reamers, dialysis equipment, stainless steel and glass replacement for milk collection equipment

PVC

Polyvinyl Chloride

PVDF

Polyvinylidene Flouride

Kynar, Solef

Strong, tough, excellent chemical and heat resistance and UV stability, translucent milky white

Valves, pumps and bearings, mainly in the chemical process industries

SAN

Styrene Acrylonitrile Coplymer

Tyril, Lustran

Rigid, tough, transparent, resistant to oils and greases

Automotive real lamp covers and reflectors, refrigerator doors and trays, washing machine trims and windows, quality kitchen utensils

UPVC (PVC-U)

Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride

Corvic, Geon

Rigid, tough, good weatherability, flame retardant, usually clear

Replacement windows and doors, pipes and fittings, rainwater goods and bottles

PP-EPDM

Rubber Modified/Reinforced Polypropylene

Alfater XL, Keltan

Tough, flexible, off-white

Automotive bumpers and door protection strips

SBC/SBS

Styrene Butadiene Styrene Block Coplymer

Styrolux

Tough, less brittle than GPPS, crystal clear

Centrifuge tubes, medical bottles and mouth tubes, pens and drawing instruments

TPE

Thermoplastic Elastomer (Rubber)

Flexible, good low temperature properties

Rubber replacement, automotive gaiters, seals and gaskets.  Used for overmoulding to provide ‘soft-touch’.

TP-EE

Thermoplastic Elastomer – Ether Ester

Arnitel, Hytrel

TPR

Thermoiplastic Rubber (Elastomer)

TPV

Thermoplastic Elastomer or Rubber – Crosslinked

Santoprene, Lamod

TPU

Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Elastolan, Estane

Range from hard and rigid to soft and flexible, better abrasion and tear resistance than rubber, excellent weatherability and UV resistance

Bellows, diaphragms, gaskets and seals, machinery mounts, shoe soles and heels.  Overmoulding, especially in automotive interiors