Plastic Markings |
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Handling Precautions For Plastics |
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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. |
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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. |
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Abbrev. |
Material Name |
Heat Resisting Temp ×F (×C) |
Location |
Notes |
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AAS |
Acrylonitrile acrylic rubber styrene |
176 (80) |
Trim panel, side marker lamp, door, outside mirror |
Avoid gas and solvents. |
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ABS |
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene |
176 (80) |
Grille, garnish moulding, speaker grill, vent louver, trim panel, safety pad, outside mirror |
Avoid gas and solvents. |
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AES |
Acrylonitrile ethylene styrene |
176 (80) |
Grille |
Avoid gas and solvents. |
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EDPM |
Ethylene propylene rubber |
212 (100) |
Bumper impact strip |
Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly). |
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FRP |
Fibre reinforced plastics |
338 (170) |
Headlamp cover |
Gas and most solvents are harmless. |
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PA |
Polyamide (nylon) |
176 (80) |
Exterior finish panel |
Gas and most solvents are harmless. |
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PC |
Polycarbonate |
248 (120) |
Instrument panel, lens, grille |
Avoid gas and solvents. |
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PE |
Polyethylene |
176 (80) |
Fender skirt, interior trim, headliner, valance, spoiler, sill cover |
Gas and most solvents are harmless. Flammable. |
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PMMA |
Polymethyl methacrylate |
176 (80) |
Lens |
Avoid gas and solvents. |
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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. |
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PPC |
Polypropylene composite |
239 (115) |
Center console box |
Gas and most solvents are harmless. Flammable. |
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PPO |
Polypropylene oxide |
212 (100) |
Grille, headlamp, door, bezel, ornament (chrome) |
Avoid gas and solvents. |
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PUR |
Polyurethane |
176 (80) |
Bumper cover |
Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly). |
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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. |
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SAN |
Styrene acrylonitrile resin |
176 (80) |
Instrument panel gauge lens |
Avoid gas and solvents. |
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TPO |
Thermoplastic olefin |
176 (80) |
Mudguard |
Gas and most solvents are harmless (wipe quickly). |
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TPR |
Thermoplastic rubber |
176 (80) |
Valance panel, filler panel, mudguard |
Avoid gas and solvents. |
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TPU |
Thermoplastic polyurethane |
176 (80) |
Bumper cover, gravel deflector, soft filler panel |
Avoid gas and solvents.
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