| Plastic Identification |
Plastic Markings
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.
Handling Precautions for Plastics
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.
| Table 1: | Plastic Identification |
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
Fiber 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.
Rev. 07-09