Plastic Identification Chart

This table shows the plastic most often used in automotive applications. Don't see the symbol on this table? Click here for a more complete listing.

The plastics with the yellow background are thermoset plastics.

Display:

Symbol & Type	How to identify	Typical Usage	Suggested Repair Method	Repair Tips
DCPD, PDCPD, Metton (Polydicyclopentadiene)	Rigid Material, no fibers, dark gray in color.	Large truck and tractor panels and hoods	Method AD-1 w/ 2510 PlastiFix two-part methacrylate adhesive	Use backing plate over holes, layer in fiberglass cloth for extra strength.
PUR, RIM, RRIM Thermoset polyurethane	Usually flexible, maybe yellow or gray, bubbles and smokes when attempting to melt.	Flexible bumper covers (especially on domestics), filler panels, rocker panel covers, snowmobile cowls.	Method AW-3 w/ urethane (R01) rod or Method AW-2 with 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 AD-1 - two-part epoxy repair with fiberglass reinforcement.	Use backing plate over holes, layer in fiberglass cloth for extra strength.
XPE, XLPE, PE-Xb, PEX, Crosslinked Polyethylene	Semi-Flexible, waxy or greasy feel, softens when heated but does not melt	Gas tanks, kayaks, canoes, trash cans, use is declining	Method AW-3 with polyethylene rod (R04 series). Use as a hot melt adhesive.	Applying filler or painting is difficult or impossible. Browns when heated.
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 AW-1 or N2-1 w/ ABS rod (R03 series), or Method AD-1 Two-Part epoxy repair.	PlastiFix is an optimal repair method. Weld repairs may be backed with epoxy for extra strength.
HDPE Polyethylene	Semi-flexible, melts & smears when grinding, usually semi-translucent, waxy or greasy feel.	Overflow tanks, inner fender panels, water storage tanks, gas tanks, kayaks, canoes, playground equipment.	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with high density polyethylene rod (R12 series).	Applying filler or painting is nearly impossible.
PA, PA-6, PA Polyamide (Nylon)	Semirigid or rigid, sands finely	Radiator tanks, headlamp bezels, exterior trim finish parts, mirrors, plastic engine parts	Method AW-1 with nylon rod (R06 series).	Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding, mix rod completely with base material.
PBT Polybutylene terphthalate	Semi-rigid or rigid, sands finely.	Automotive panels, electrical connectors, under-hood parts.	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with PBT rod (R08 series).	Crystalline type plastic. Has low coefficient of friction. Use heavy pressure and reinforce with 2045 mesh.
PC + ABS Pulse (Polycarbonate & ABS)	Rigid, sands finely, usually dark in color	Door skins (Saturn), instrument panels, street bike fairings	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with Polycarbonate rod (R07 series), or Method AD-1 adhesive repair	Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding.
PC + PBT, Xenoy (Polycarbonate blend), SLX	Rigid, sands finely, usually dark in color	Bumper covers (primarily Ford products, 84-95 Taurus, Aerostar, some Mercedes and Hyundai's)	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with polycarbonate rod (R07 series), or Method AD-1 adhesive repairs.	Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding.
PE / LDPE Polyethylene	Semi-flexible, melts & smears when grinding, usually semi-translucent, waxy or greasy feel. Smells like a candle when melting.	Overflow tanks, inner fender panels, water storage tanks, gas tanks, kayaks, canoes, playground equipment, trash cans.	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with low density polyethylene rod (R04 series).	Applying filler or painting is nearly impossible.
PETE, PET Polyethylene Terephthalate	Flexible, strong	Soda bottles, various yarn fibers, headliners, fuse boxes, door panels	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with PET rod (R13 series).	Can't make as strong as original part; manufactured in crisscrossed layers and can't be duplicated.
PP Polypropylene	Semi-flexible, melts & smears when grinding, waxy or greasy feel, usually a bit stiffer than PE's	Bumper covers (usually blended with EPDM), inner fenders, radiator shrouds, gas tanks, battery cases, interior panels	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with polypropylene rod (R02 series) or method AW-2 with FiberFlex (R10 series).	Use 1060FP Filler Prep adhesion promoter when applying two-part epoxy filler
PPE, PPE+PS Polyphenylene Ether	Semi-rigid, sands finely, usually off-white or black in color	Fenders, exterior trim, rear hatch panels	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with PPR+PS rod (R08 series) or AD-1	Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding.
PPO + PA Noryl GTX (Nylon blend)	Semi-rigid, sands finely, usually off-white in color.	Fenders (Saturn & GM), exterior trim	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with GTX rod (R15 series) or nylon rod (R06 series).	Preheat plastic with heat gun before welding.
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride	Rigid, sands finely, Usually white or gray but can be made any color	Pipe, siding, window frames, decking, gutters, speed bumps	Method AW-1 or N2-1 with PVC rod (R09 series).
TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer	Semi-flexible, usually black or gray, melts & smears when grinding.	Bumper covers, filler panels, underhood parts.	Method AW-2 with FiberFlex (R10 series).	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 AW-1 or N2-1 w/ polypropylene rod (R02 series) or TPO rod (R05 series), or method AW-2 w/ FiberFlex rod (R10 series).	Use 1060FP Filler Prep Adhesion Promoter when applying two-part epoxy filler
TPU, TPUR - Thermoplastic Polyurethane	Flexible, sands finely	Bumper covers, soft filler panels, gravel deflectors, rocker panel covers	Method AW-3 w/ polyurethane rod (R01 series) or Method AW-2 with FiberFlex rod (R10 series).

[Symbol] PETE

[Symbol] HDPE - high density polyethylene

[Symbol] PVC - polyvinyl chloride

[Symbol] LDPE - low density polyethylene

[Symbol] PP - polypropylene

[Symbol] PS - polystyrene

[Symbol] Resins not mentioned above, or a combination of plastics.

Plastic Identification Using the Float Test and Burn Test

The float test and burn test have been around for years. It's a good test for ruling out certain plastics, but difficult to specifically identify a plastic. CLICK HERE to see the test results on various plastics.

identifying material