Plastic Identification

This table show the plastic most often used in automotive applications. Do you have a symbol that is not on this table? Click here for a more complete listing.
Symbol & Type How to identify Typical Usage Suggested Repair Method Repair Tips
PUR, RIM, RRIM Thermoset polyurethane Usually flexible, maybe yellow or gray, bubbles and smokes when attempting to melt. Flexible bumper covers (esp. on domestics), filler panels, rocker panel covers, snowmobile cowls. Method A w/ urethane rod or Method C w/ Uni-Weld FiberFlex Don't try to melt the base material! Just melt the rod into the v-groove like a hot melt glue.
SMC, UP, FRP Fiberglass Rigid, polyester matrix reinforced with glass fibers, sands finely Rigid body panels, fenders, hoods, deck lids, header panels, spoilers Method E - two-part epoxy repair with fiberglass reinforcement. Use backing plate over holes, layer in fiberglass cloth for extra strength and to approximate thermal expansion
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Rigid, often white but may be molded in any color, sands finely. Very pungent odor when heated. Instrument panels, grilles, trim moldings, consoles, armrest supports, street bike fairings. Method B w/ ABS rod (5003R3), or Method D Insta-Weld adhesive repair, or Method E Two-Part epoxy repair Weld repairs may be backed with epoxy for extra strength.
EEBC (Ether Ester Block Copolymer) Flexible, off-white in color, similar in appearance to PUR (Lomod by GE) Rocker cover moldings, bumper extensions (91-96 DeVille) Method C w/ Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10)  
EMA (Ethylene Meth- acrylic Acid) Semirigid, molded in a variety of colors, unpainted (Bexloy W by DuPont) Bumper covers (Dodge Neon 1st generation base model) Method C with Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10) or Method B with slivers cut from scrap. Sand entire bumper for refinishing, restore texture with Flex Tex (3800).
PA Polyamide (Nylon) Semirigid or rigid, sands finely Radiator tanks, headlamp bezels, exterior trim finish parts Method B w/ nylon rod (5003R6) Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding, mix rod completely with base material.
PC + ABS Pulse (Polycarbonate & ABS) Rigid, sands finely, usually dark in color Door skins (Saturn), instrument panels, street bike fairings Method B w/ Polycarbonate rod (5003R7), or Methods D or E adhesive repairs Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding with Method B.
PC + PBT Xenoy (Polycarbonate blend) Rigid, sands finely, usually dark in color Bumper covers (primarily Ford products, 84-95 Taurus, Aerostar, some Mercedes and Hyundai's) Method B w/ polycarbonate rod (5003R7), Method C, or Method E adhesive repairs. Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding with Method B.
PE Polyethylene Semiflexible, melts & smears when grinding, usually semi-translucent. Overflow tanks, inner fender panels, valences, interior trim panels, RV water storage tanks, gas tanks Method B w/ polyethylene rod (5003R4) or Method C w/ FiberFlex (5003R10) Applying filler or painting is nearly impossible.
PP Polypropylene Semiflexible, usually black in color, melts & smears when grinding Bumper covers (usually blended with EPDM), inner fenders, radiator shrouds, interior panels, gas tanks Method C with Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10) or Method B with polypropylene rod (5003R2) Use 1060FP Filler Prep adhesion promoter when applying two-part epoxy filler
PPO + PA Noryl GTX (Nylon blend) Semi-rigid, sands finely, usually off-white in color. Fenders (Saturn & GM), exterior trim Method B w/ nylon rod (5003R6), or Methods D or E adhesive repairs Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding with Method B.
TEEE (Thermoplastic Ether Ester Elastomer) Flexible or Semiflexible (Bexloy V by duPont) Bumper covers (especially on domestics, filler panels, rocker panel covers.) Method C w/ Uni-Weld Fiberflex (5003R10) or Method B w/ slivers cut from scrap.  
TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer Semi-flexible, usually black or gray, melts & smears when grinding. Bumper covers, filler panels, underhood parts. Method C with Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10) Use 1060FP Filler Prep adhesion promoter before applying two-part epoxy filler.
TPO, EPM, TEO Thermoplastic Olefin Semiflexible, usually black or gray in color, melts & smears when grinding Bumper covers, air dams, grilles, interior parts, instrument panels, snowmobile cowls. Method C with Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10) or Method B w/ PP or TPO rod. Use 1060FP Filler Prep adhesion promoter when applying two-part epoxy filler
TPU, TPU - Thermoplastic Polyurethane Flexible, sands finely Bumper covers, soft filler panels, gravel deflectors, rocker panel covers Method B w/ urethane rod (5003R1) or Method C w/ Uni-Weld FiberFlex (5003R10)  

  

 

Plastic ID Symbols
 

Symbol Material Common Location Notes
AAS Acrylonitrile acrylic rubber styrene Trim panels, side marker lamps, door, outside mirror Avoid gas and solvents
ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Grille, garnish molding, speaker grill, vent louver, trim panel Avoid gas and solvents
ABS + PC Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene + polycarbonate Instrument panels, Saturn door panels Brand name is Pulse
ABS + PVC ABS/Vinyl (soft) Headrest skins, trim moldings, trim panels  
AES Acrylonitrile etheylene styrene Grille Avoid gas and solvents
A/MMA Acrylonitrile Methyl Methacrylate    
A/S/A Acrylonitrile/Styrene/Acrylate    
CA Cellulose Acetate    
CAB Cellulose Acetate Butyrate    
CAP Cellulose Acetate Propionate    
CF Cellulose Formaldehyde    
CMC Carboxynethyl Cellulose    
CN Cellulose Nitrate    
CS Casein    
CP Cellulose Propinate    
CPE Chlorinate Polyethylene    
EC Ethyl Cellulose    
EEBC Ether Ester Block Copolymer Rocker cover moldings, fender extensions (91-96 Deville) Brand name is Lomod
EP Epoxy Fender extensions, hoods, roofs, decklids, instruments housings  
E/P Ethylene Propylene Bumper covers, valance panels, fascias, air dams  
EMA Ethylene Methacrylate Acid 1995-1999 Dodge Neon Bumper Covers Brand name is Bexloy "W"
EPDM Ethylene propylene rubber Bumper impact strip Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly)
EVA Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Headrest skins, crash pads, trim moldings, trim panels  
FRP Fiber reinforced plastics Headlamp cover Gas and most solvents are harmless
PA Polyamide (nylon) Exterior finish panel, radiator tank Gas and most solvents are harmless
PA + PPE Polyamide + Polyphenylene Ether Saturn fenders, exterior trim Brand name is GTX
PAE Polyarylether    
PAR Polyaramid    
PAS Polyarylsolfone    
PB Polybutene    
PBT Polybutylene terephthalate    
PBTP + EEBC Polybutylene Terephthalate + Ether Ester Block Copolymer Rocker cover moldings, fascias Brand name is Bexloy "M"
PC Polycarbonate Instrument panel, lens, grille, bumper covers Avoid gas and solvents
PC + PBT Polycarbonate + Polybutylene Terephthalate Bumper covers Brand name is Xenoy
PE Polyethylene Fender skirt, interior trim, headliner, valance, spoiler, sill cover Gas and most solvents are harmless
PEOX Polyethylene Oxide    
PESU Polyether Sulfone    
PET Polyethylene Terephthalate + Polyester Chrysler LH fenders Brand name is Bexloy "K"
PIB Polyisobutylene    
PF Phenol Formaldehyde Ashtrays  
PMP Polymethylpentne    
PMMA Polymethyle methacrylate Lens Avoid gas and solvents
POB Poly-Poxybenzoate    
POM Polyoxymethylene formaldehyde   Avoid battery acid
PP Polypropylene Instrument panel, interior trim, grille, center console, scuff plate, exterior trim, fender skirt, heater/evaporator case, bumper covers, coolant tank Gas and most solvents are harmless
PPC Polypropylene composite Center console box Gas and most solvents are harmless
PPE Polyenylene ether Chromed plastic pards, headlamp doors, ornaments, bezels Avoid gas and solvents
PPE + PA Polyphenylene Ether + Polyamide Saturn fenders, exterior trim Brand name is GTX
PPO Polyphenylene oxide Grille, headlamp, door, bezel, ornament (chrome) Avoid gas and solvents
PPYO Poly phenoxy polyarl oxide    
PPOX Polypropylene oxide    
PPS Polyphenylene Sulfide    
PPSU Polyphenylene Solfone    
PS Polystyrene Dash panels, door panels Avoid gas and solvents
PTMTP Poly Tertramethylene Terephthalate    
PTFE Polytetraflouroethylene cookware Brand name is Teflon
PUR Thermoset Polyurethane Bumper covers, dually fenders, fenders, filler panels Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly)
PSU Polysulfone    
PVC Polyvinyl chloride Headliner, interior trim, side protect molding, safety pad Avoid gas and solvents
RIM (RRIM) Reaction Injection Molding (Thermoset Urethane Bumper covers  
SAN Styrene acrylonitrile Insturment panel guage lens Avoid gas and solvents
SMC Sheet molding compound (polyester) Body parts, fenders, tailgates Avoid gas and solvents
TEEE Thermoplastic Ether Ester Elastomer Bumper facias (Bonneville SSE, Park Ave.) Brand name is Bexloy "V"
TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer Bumper covers, fender flares, mudguard Gas and most solvents are harmless
TPO Themoplastic olefin Bumper covers, fender flares, mudguard Gas and most solvents are harmless. Now called TPE.
TPR Thermoplastic rubber    
TPU Thermoplastic urethane Bumper covers, gravel deflector, soft filler panel Avoid gas and solvents
UP Unsaturated Polyester (fiberglass) Fender extensions, hoods, roofs, decklids, instruments housings  

  PETE
  HDPE - high density polyethylene
  PVC - polyvinyl chloride
  LDPE - low density polyethylene
  PP - polypropylene
  PS - polystyrene
  Resins not mentioned above, or a combination of plastics.