Plastics - Abbreviations

Commonly used plastic abbreviations and their full names.

AbbreviationFull Name
ABSAcrylonitrile butadiene styrene
CPEChlorinated polyethylene
CPVCChlorinated polyvinyl chloride
EPDMEthylene propylene di-monomer
EPSExpanded polystyrene
ETFEEthyl tetra fluoro ethylene
EVAEthylene vinyl acetate
GRPGlass-reinforced polyester, Fibreglass
HDPEHigh density polyethylene
HIPSHigh impact polystyrene
LDPELow density polyethylene
MFMelamine-formaldehyde
PAPolyamide, Nylon
PBPolybutylene
PCPolycarbonate
PEPolyethylene
PFPhenol-formaledehyde, Bakelite
PMMAPolymethyl methacrylate, Perspex
PPPolypropylene
PSPolystyrene
PTFEPolytetrafluoroethylene
PUPolyurethane
PVAPolyvinyl acetate, latex emulsion
PVCPolyvinyl chloride
PVBPolyvinyl butyral
PVFPolyvinyl fluoride
UFUrea-formaldehyde
UPUnsaturated polyester
UPVCUnplasticised polyvinyl chloride