Plastics Abbreviations
Reference data and engineering information about plastics abbreviations for material properties applications.
plasticsabbreviations
Overview
Engineering reference data for Plastics Abbreviations in material science and properties.
Key Formulas
Stress
Force per unit area.
Strain
Change in length per original length.
Hooke's Law
Stress proportional to strain in elastic region.
Thermal Expansion
Length change due to temperature.
Variables
| Symbol | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Stress | Pa | |
| Strain | — | |
| Young's modulus | Pa | |
| Thermal expansion coefficient | 1/°C | |
| Temperature change | °C |
Plastics Abbreviations Reference
29 rows
Abbreviation | Full Chemical Name | Common Trade Name |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | |
| CPE | Chlorinated Polyethylene | |
| CPVC | Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride | |
| EPDM | Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer | |
| EPS | Expanded Polystyrene | |
| ETFE | Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene | |
| EVA | Ethylene Vinyl Acetate | |
| GRP | Glass-Reinforced Polyester | Fibreglass |
| HDPE | High-Density Polyethylene | |
| HIPS | High-Impact Polystyrene | |
| LDPE | Low-Density Polyethylene | |
| MF | Melamine-Formaldehyde | |
| PA | Polyamide | Nylon |
| PB | Polybutylene | |
| PC | Polycarbonate | |
| PE | Polyethylene | |
| PF | Phenol-Formaldehyde | Bakelite |
| PMMA | Polymethyl Methacrylate | Perspex |
| PP | Polypropylene | |
| PS | Polystyrene | |
| PTFE | Polytetrafluoroethylene | |
| PU | Polyurethane | |
| PVA | Polyvinyl Acetate | Latex Emulsion |
| PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride | |
| PVB | Polyvinyl Butyral | |
| PVF | Polyvinyl Fluoride | |
| UF | Urea-Formaldehyde | |
| UP | Unsaturated Polyester | |
| UPVC | Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride |
Source: engineeringtoolbox.com
Common Applications
These abbreviations are widely used in manufacturing, material science, and engineering specifications. Understanding them is crucial for:
- Material Selection: Choosing the correct plastic for an application based on its chemical properties.
- Reading Technical Drawings & Data Sheets: Interpreting component specifications and material certifications.
- Quality Control & Compliance: Ensuring materials meet required industry standards and regulations.
When selecting a plastic, properties such as temperature resistance, chemical compatibility, tensile strength, and cost are directly determined by its polymer type, which is indicated by its abbreviation.