Plastic Markings

 

Handling Precautions For Plastics

Vehicle manufacturers generally mark major plastic parts to identify the type of plastic material used in the item’s production. These are in the form of letter-coded groups molded on the backs of parts as identified below. Wherever possible, these parts are identified in the text.

 

When repairing and painting metal body parts adjacent to plastic parts, consider their characteristics (i.e., influence of heat and solvent) and remove them if necessary, or take suitable measures to protect them. Plastic parts should be repaired and painted using methods suiting the materials. Depending on the severity of damage, the repair cost should not exceed the cost of replacing the part.

Abbrev.

Material Name

Heat Resisting Temp ×F (×C)

Location

Notes

AAS

Acrylonitrile acrylic rubber styrene

176 (80)

Trim panel, side marker lamp, door, outside mirror

Avoid gas and solvents.

ABS

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

176 (80)

Grille, garnish moulding, speaker grill, vent louver, trim panel, safety pad, outside mirror

Avoid gas and solvents.

AES

Acrylonitrile ethylene styrene

176 (80)

Grille

Avoid gas and solvents.

EDPM

Ethylene propylene rubber

212 (100)

Bumper impact strip

Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly).

FRP

Fibre reinforced plastics

338 (170)

Headlamp cover

Gas and most solvents are harmless.

PA

Polyamide (nylon)

176 (80)

Exterior finish panel

Gas and most solvents are harmless.

PC

Polycarbonate

248 (120)

Instrument panel, lens, grille

Avoid gas and solvents.

PE

Polyethylene

176 (80)

Fender skirt, interior trim, headliner, valance, spoiler, sill cover

Gas and most solvents are harmless. Flammable.

PMMA

Polymethyl methacrylate

176 (80)

Lens

Avoid gas and solvents.

PP

Polypropylene

176 (80)

Instrument panel, interior trim, grille, center console, scuff plate, exterior trim, fender, skirt, heater/evaporator case, coolant tank

Gas and most solvents are harmless. Flammable.

PPC

Polypropylene composite

239 (115)

Center console box

Gas and most solvents are harmless. Flammable.

PPO

Polypropylene oxide

212 (100)

Grille, headlamp, door, bezel, ornament (chrome)

Avoid gas and solvents.

PUR

Polyurethane

176 (80)

Bumper cover

Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly).

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride

176 (80)

Headliner, interior trim, side protect moulding, safety pad

Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly). Poison gas emitted when burned.

SAN

Styrene acrylonitrile resin

176 (80)

Instrument panel gauge lens

Avoid gas and solvents.

TPO

Thermoplastic olefin

176 (80)

Mudguard

Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly).

TPR

Thermoplastic rubber

176 (80)

Valance panel, filler panel, mudguard

Avoid gas and solvents.

TPU

Thermoplastic polyurethane

176 (80)

Bumper cover, gravel deflector, soft filler panel

Avoid gas and solvents.