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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). |
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.
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