Engineering Plastics
From tough nylon gears to clear PET packaging: understand the names, properties and everyday uses behind the abbreviations.
39 guides · Every abbreviation explained
From short name to clear explanation.
This is a browsing group, not a performance ranking or a claim that every material is accepted for recycling. It includes the wider polymer families in the reference directory.
39 material guides
Polyamide (nylon)
A family of tough plastics used for parts that rub, flex or carry a load. Nylon is the familiar name for many polyamides.
Understand this material PA 4.6Polyamide 4,6 (nylon 4,6)
A nylon grade chosen for demanding components that need to retain stiffness when warm.
Understand this material PA 6Polyamide 6 (nylon 6)
A widely used nylon for durable moulded components and fibres.
Understand this material PA 6.6Polyamide 6,6 (nylon 66)
A strong engineering nylon found in mechanical and electrical parts.
Understand this material PA 6/66Polyamide 6/66 copolymer
A nylon made using building blocks associated with both PA6 and PA66, allowing processing and flexibility to be adjusted.
Understand this material PA 12Polyamide 12 (nylon 12)
A nylon used where flexibility and low moisture uptake are useful, particularly in tubing.
Understand this material PPAPolyphthalamide
A group of partly aromatic nylons used for parts exposed to higher temperatures.
Understand this material PBTPolybutylene terephthalate
An engineering polyester used to mould stable, precise components.
Understand this material PETPolyethylene terephthalate
A polyester used in bottles, sheet, film, fibres and engineering components. It is the material many people recognise from clear drinks bottles.
Understand this material TPEThermoplastic elastomer
A family of rubber-like materials that can be shaped using thermoplastic processing.
Understand this material TPOThermoplastic polyolefin
A polyolefin-based material designed to combine plastic processing with a degree of rubber-like toughness.
Understand this material SBSStyrene-butadiene-styrene
A block copolymer with hard styrene sections and softer butadiene sections: useful where a material needs to flex.
Understand this material SEBSStyrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene
A hydrogenated styrenic elastomer used in soft, flexible compounds.
Understand this material EPDMEthylene-propylene-diene rubber
A synthetic rubber used for weather-exposed seals and hoses. Finished EPDM is commonly cured into a permanent network.
Understand this material SBRStyrene-butadiene rubber
A synthetic rubber used where repeated contact and abrasion are important.
Understand this material SISilicone rubber
A flexible material based on a silicon-oxygen backbone, rather than the carbon backbone of many everyday plastics.
Understand this material POMPolyoxymethylene (acetal)
A rigid engineering plastic that helps moving parts slide smoothly.
Understand this material HMWPEHigh molecular weight polyethylene
A polyethylene grade with long molecular chains, used for toughness and wear performance.
Understand this material PENPolyethylene naphthalate
A specialist polyester used where a stronger barrier or greater temperature capability is wanted than standard packaging polyester can offer.
Understand this material PCTPolycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate
A heat-resistant polyester used in precision electrical components.
Understand this material PCPolycarbonate
A clear, tough engineering plastic used where impact resistance matters.
Understand this material SBCStyrene-butadiene copolymer
A styrenic polymer family that can offer a useful balance of transparency and toughness.
Understand this material COCCyclic olefin copolymer
A transparent specialist plastic used for clear, precise parts and films.
Understand this material ABSAcrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
A common rigid plastic that balances a hard surface with resistance to knocks.
Understand this material MABSMethyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
A modified styrenic plastic that offers transparency alongside impact performance.
Understand this material SANStyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer
A rigid, often transparent plastic used for durable clear products.
Understand this material GPPSGeneral purpose polystyrene
A rigid polystyrene grade that can be clear, but is generally more brittle than impact-modified polystyrene.
Understand this material HIPSHigh impact polystyrene
Polystyrene modified with rubber to make it tougher than general purpose polystyrene.
Understand this material PPO / PPEPolyphenylene oxide / polyphenylene ether
An engineering polymer usually used as a blend to balance heat performance, stability and processing.
Understand this material SMMAStyrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer
A clear styrenic copolymer used for rigid products where appearance matters.
Understand this material PMMAPolymethyl methacrylate (acrylic)
A clear rigid plastic often used as a lightweight alternative to glass.
Understand this material EVAEthylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
A material that ranges from flexible plastic to soft foam, depending on its formulation.
Understand this material EMAEthylene-methyl acrylate copolymer
In polymer compounding, EMA usually means a flexible ethylene-acrylate resin used to modify other materials.
Understand this material EBAEthylene-butyl acrylate copolymer
A flexible ethylene copolymer used to modify plastics and help certain coatings and adhesive formulations perform.
Understand this material EAAEthylene-acrylic acid copolymer
An ethylene copolymer containing acid groups, often used where bonding to another material is helpful.
Understand this material PVA / PVOHPolyvinyl alcohol
A polymer used in films, binders and coatings; some grades dissolve in water under particular conditions.
Understand this material PVBPolyvinyl butyral
A tough, adhesive polymer best known as the interlayer between sheets of laminated safety glass.
Understand this material POEPolyolefin elastomer
A family of soft, flexible polyolefin materials used on their own or to modify the toughness of other plastics.
Understand this material PB / PB-1Polybutene-1 (polybutylene)
A polyolefin used in flexible pipe systems and to modify packaging or adhesive performance.
Understand this materialNo matches yet. Try a shorter name, or ask our team.
Start with a photograph and a grade label.
We can discuss the information needed to assess your material.