| Abbreviation |
Definition |
| ABA |
Poly(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Acrylate) |
| ABS |
Poly(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) |
| ACM |
Poly(Acrylic Acid Ester Rubber) |
| ACS |
Acrylonitrile-Chlorinated Polyethylene-Styrene Terpolymer |
| ACS |
American Chemical Society |
| AES |
Poly(Acrylonitrile Ethylene Styrene) or Poly(Acrylonitrile Ethylene Propylene Styrene) |
| AMMA |
Poly(Acrylonitrile Methyl Methacrylate) |
| AN |
Acrylonitrile |
| AO |
Antioxidant |
| APET |
Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthlate |
| API |
American Petroleum Institute |
| APWA |
All Polymeric Wear Additive |
| ARP |
Poly(Arylterephthalate) Copolyester |
| AS |
Antistatic |
| ASA |
Poly(Acrylic Styrene Acrylonitrile) |
| ASTM |
American Society for Testing and Materials |
| BDMA |
Benzyl Dimethyl Amine (Epoxy Cure Accelerator) |
| BGE |
Butyl Glycidyl Ether |
| BIIR |
Bromobutyl Rubber |
| BMC |
Bulk Molding Compound |
| BMI |
Bismaleimide |
| BOPP |
Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (Film) |
| BR |
Polybutadiene Rubber |
| CA |
Cellulose Acetate |
| CAB |
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate |
| CAP |
Cellulose Acetate Propionate |
| CF |
Cresol Formaldehyde |
| CFR |
Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR has provisions dealing with food contact of polymers) |
| CGE |
Cresol Glycidyl Ether |
| CHDM |
Cyclohexanedimethanol |
| CIIR |
Chlorobutyl Rubber |
| CM |
Chlorinated Polyethylene Rubber |
| CM |
Compression Molded |
| CMC |
Carboxymethyl Cellulose |
| CMC |
Carboxymethylcellulose |
| CN |
Cellulose Nitrate |
| CO |
Epichlorohydrin Rubber (Homopolymer) |
| COC |
Cyclo Olefin Copolymer |
| COF |
Coefficient of Friction |
| CP |
Cellulose Propionate |
| CPE |
Chlorinated Polyethylene |
| CPVC |
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride |
| CR |
Polychloroprene Rubber |
| CS |
Casein |
| CSA |
Canadian Standards Associates |
| CSM |
Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Rubber |
| CTE |
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion |
| CTFE |
Chlorortrifluoroethylene |
| CTI |
Comparative Tracking Index |
| CVD |
Chemical Vapor Deposition |
| DAIP |
Diallylisophthalate |
| DAM |
Dry As Molded (applied to nylon and oher hygroscopic polymers) |
| DAP |
Diallyl Phthalate |
| DCPD |
Dicyclopentadiene |
| DDS |
Diaminodiphenyl Sulfone (Epoxy Cure Agent) |
| DGEBA |
Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A |
| DIN |
Deutches Institut für Normung |
| DTUL |
Deflection Temperature Under Load |
| EAA |
Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer |
| EBAC |
Poly(Ethylene Butyl Acrylate) |
| EC |
Ethyl Cellulose |
| ECN |
Epoxy Cresol Novolac |
| ECO |
Epichlorohydrin Rubber (Ethylene Oxide Copolymer) |
| ECTFE |
Poly(Ethylene Chlorotrifluoroethylene) |
| EEA |
Poly(Ethylene-Ethyl Acrylate) |
| EEW |
Epoxy Equivalent Weight (Also called WPE) |
| EMAAA |
Ethylene Acid Terpolymer |
| EMAC |
Poly(Ethylene Methyl Acrylate) |
| EMCM |
Ethylene Methyl Acrylate Cyclohexene Methyl Acrylate |
| EMI |
Electromagnetic Interference |
| EP |
Epoxy; Epoxide |
| EPA |
Environmental Protection Agency (US Government) |
| EPDM |
Ethylene Propylene Terpolymer Rubber |
| EPM |
Ethylene Propylene Copolymer |
| EPN |
Epoxy Phenol Novolac |
| EPS |
Expanded Polystyrene |
| ESCR |
Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance |
| ETFE |
Poly(Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) |
| ETPU |
Engineering Thermoplastic Polyurethane |
| EVA |
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer |
| EVAC |
Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer |
| EVAL |
Poly(Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol) |
| EVOH |
Poly(Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol) |
| FDA |
Food and Drug Administration (US Government) |
| FDM |
Fused Deposition Modeling (Rapid Protoyping/3D Printing Technique) |
| FDY |
Fully Drawn Yarn |
| FEP |
Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene |
| FF |
Furan Formaldehyde |
| FMQ |
Fluorosilicone Rubber |
| FPM |
Fluorocarbon Rubber |
| FPVC |
Flexible Polyvinyl Chloride |
| FR |
Flame Retardant |
| FVMQ |
Fluorosilicone Rubber |
| FZ |
Fluorinated Polyphosphazene Rubber |
| GFR |
Glass Fiber Reinforced |
| GP |
General Purpose |
| GPO |
Propylene Oxide Rubber |
| GPPS |
General Purpose Polystyrene |
| HAI |
High Amp Arc Ignition |
| HALS |
Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer |
| HDPE |
High Density Polyethylene |
| HDT |
Heat Deflection Temperature or Heat Distortion Temperature |
| HFP |
Hexafluoropropylene |
| HIPS |
High Impact Polystyrene |
| HNBR |
Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber |
| HPP |
High Performance Polyester |
| HRE |
Rockwell E Hardness Number |
| HRM |
Rockwell M Hardness Number |
| HRR |
Rockwell R Hardness Number |
| HSN |
Highly Saturated Nitrile Rubber |
| HVAR |
High Voltage Arc Resistance to Ignition |
| HVTR |
High Voltage Tracking Rate |
| HWI |
Hot Wire Ignition |
| IBS |
Interactive Blowing System |
| IIR |
Butyl Rubber |
| IM |
Injection Molded |
| IMR |
Internal Mold Release |
| ISO |
International Standards Organization |
| LCP |
Liquid Crystal Polymer |
| LDPE |
Low Density Polyethylene |
| LLDPE |
Linear Low Density Polyethylene |
| LMDPE |
Linear Medium Density Polyethylene |
| MD |
Metal Deactivator |
| MD |
Metal Detectable |
| MDI |
Methyl Diphenyl Diisocyanate |
| MDPE |
Medium Density Polyethylene |
| MEKP |
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide (Thermoset Curing Agent) |
| MF |
Melamine-Formaldehyde |
| MFD |
Microfloppy Diskettes |
| MFI |
Melt Flow Index |
| MVTR |
Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate |
| MWD |
Molecular Weight Distribution |
| NASA |
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US) |
| NB |
No Break (Applied to Impact Test Results) |
| NBR |
Nitrile Rubber (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber) |
| NHFR |
Non-Halogen Flame Retardant |
| NHT |
High Temperature Nylon |
| NSF |
National Sanitation Foundation (nonregulatory agency) |
| OB |
Optical Brightener |
| ODP |
Ozone Depletion Potential |
| OEM |
Original Equipment Manufacturer |
| OPP |
Oriented Polypropylene (Film) |
| OPS |
Oriented Polystyrene (Film) |
| OSHA |
Occupation Safety and Health Administration (US Government) |
| PA |
Polyamide (Nylon) |
| PA |
Polyacrylate |
| PAE |
Polyarylether |
| PAEK |
Polyaryletherketone |
| PAI |
Polyamide-Imide |
| PAMS |
Poly(Alpha Methylstyrene) |
| PAN |
Polyacrylonitrile |
| PARA |
Polyarylamide (polyaramide) |
| PAS |
Polyarylsulfone |
| PASA |
Polyamide, Semi-Aromatic (Nylon) |
| PASU |
Polyarylsulfone |
| PB |
Polybutadiene |
| PB |
Polybutene-1 |
| PBGA |
Plastic Ball Grid Array |
| PBI |
Polybenzimidazole |
| PBT |
Polybutylene Terephthalate |
| PC |
Polycarbonate |
| PCB |
Printed Circuit Board |
| PCP |
Post-Consumer Plastic |
| PCR |
Post-Consumer Resin |
| PCT |
Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate |
| PCTFE |
Polychlorortrifluoroethylene |
| PCTG |
Glycol-Modified PCT |
| PCU |
Polycarbonate Urethane |
| PDAP |
Poly(Diallyl Phthalate) |
| PDCPD |
Polydicyclopentadiene |
| PDLA |
Poly d-Lactic Acid |
| PDMS |
Polydimethylsiloxane (Silicone) |
| PE |
Polyethylene |
| PEBA |
Polyether Block Amide |
| PEEK |
Polyetheretherketone |
| PEF |
Process Engineered Fuel |
| PEG |
Polyethylene Glycol |
| PEI |
Polyetherimide |
| PEK |
Polyetherketone |
| PEKEKK |
Polyetherketoneetherketoneketone |
| PEKK |
Polyetherketoneketone |
| PEN |
Polyethylene Naphthalate |
| PEO |
Poly(Ethylene Oxide) |
| PEOX |
Poly(Ethylene Oxide) |
| PES |
Polyethersulfone |
| PESU |
Polyethersulfone |
| PET |
Polyethylene Terephthalate |
| PETE |
Polyethylene Terephthalate |
| PETG |
PET Modified with CHDM |
| PEVA |
Poly (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) |
| PEX |
Cross-linked Polyethylene |
| PF |
Phenol Formaldehyde (Phenolic) |
| PFA |
Perfluoroalkoxy |
| PFPE |
Polyperfluoropolyether |
| PGA |
Polyglycolic Acid |
| PHA |
Polyhydroxyalkanoate |
| PHV |
Polyhydroxyvalerate |
| PI |
Polyimide |
| PIB |
Polyisobutylene |
| PIR |
Polyisocyanurate Foam |
| PISU |
Polyimidesulfone |
| PLA |
Polylactic Acid |
| PLLA |
Poly-L-lactide |
| PMMA |
Polymethylmethacrylate |
| PMP |
Polymethylpentene |
| PNR |
Polynorborane Rubber |
| PO |
Polyolefin |
| POB |
Poly(p-Oxybenzoate) |
| POM |
Polyoxymethylene (Acetal) |
| POP |
Point of Purchase (Marketing Displays) |
| POY |
Partially Orientated Yarn |
| PP |
Polypropylene |
| PPA |
Polyphthalamide |
| PPC |
Polypropylene Copolymer |
| PPC |
Polyphthalate Carbonate |
| PPE |
Polyphenylene Ether |
| PPF |
Phenol-Furfural |
| PPG |
Polypropylene Glycol |
| PPO |
Polyphenylene Oxide |
| PPOX |
Polypropylene Oxide |
| PPS |
Polyphenylene Sulfide |
| PPSU |
Polyphenylsulfone |
| PRF |
Plastics Recovery Facility |
| PS |
Polystyrene |
| PSS |
Polysupersulfone |
| PSU |
Polysulfone |
| PTFE |
Polytetrafluoroethylene |
| PTHV |
Poly(Tetrafluoroethylene, Hexafluoropropylene and Vinylidene Fluoride) |
| PTMG |
Polytetramethylene Glycol |
| PTT |
Polytrimethylene Terephthalate |
| PU |
Polyurethene |
| PUR |
Polyurethene |
| PVAC |
Poly(Vinyl Acetate) |
| PVAL |
Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) |
| PVB |
Poly(Vinyl Butyral) |
| PVC |
Polyvinyl Chloride |
| PVCA |
Poly(Vinyl Chloride-Acetate) |
| PVDC |
Polyvinylidene Chloride |
| PVDF |
Polyvinylidene Fluoride |
| PVFM |
Poly(Vinyl Formal) |
| PVK |
Polvinylcarbazole |
| PVOH |
Polyvinyl Alcohol |
| PVP |
Polyvinylpyrrolidone |
| PZ |
Polyphosphazene Rubber |
| RH |
Relative Humidity |
| RIM |
Reaction Injection Molding |
| RPVC |
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride |
| RRIM |
Reinforced Reaction Injection Molding |
| RTI |
Relative Thermal Index (UL test) |
| RTPU |
Rigid Thermoplastic Polyurethane |
| RTV |
Room Temperature Vulcanizing (Silicone) |
| SAN |
Poly(Styrene Acrylonitrile) |
| SB |
Styrene-Butadiene |
| SBC |
Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer |
| SBS |
Poly(Styrene Butadiene Styrene) |
| SEBS |
Poly(Styrene-Ethylene-Butadiene-Styrene) Elastomer |
| SI |
Silicone |
| SI |
System International (a subset of metric units) |
| SIS |
Poly(Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene) Elastomer |
| SLA |
Stereolithography (Rapid Protoyping/3D Printing Technique) |
| SLS |
Selective Laser Sintering (Rapid Protoyping/3D Printing Technique) |
| SMA |
Poly(Styrene Maleic Anhydride) |
| SMC |
Sheet Molding Compound |
| SMMA |
Styrene Methyl Methacrylate Copolymer |
| SMP |
Shape Memory Polymer |
| SMS |
Styrene-a-Methylstyrene |
| SPS |
Syndiotactic Polystyrene |
| SPU |
Segmented Polyurethane |
| SRP |
Self-Reinforcing Polymer |
| TAIC |
Triallyl Isocyanurate |
| TDI |
Toluene Diisocyanate |
| TEEE |
Thermoplastic Elastomer Ether Ester Block Copolymer |
| TEEE |
Ether Ester Block Copolymer (Thermoplastic Elastomer) |
| TEO |
Olefinic Thermoplastic Elastomer |
| TES |
Thermoplastic Styrenic Elastomer |
| TFE |
Polytetrafluoroethylene |
| THV |
Tetrafluoroethylene, Hexafluoropropylene and Vinylidene Fluoride |
| TM |
Transfer Molded |
| TP |
Thermoplastic |
| TPE |
Thermoplastic Elastomer |
| TPI |
Thermoplastic Polyimide |
| TPO |
Thermoplastic Polyolefin (often applied to elastomers) |
| TPU |
Thermoplastic Polyurethene (often applied to elastomers) |
| TPUR |
Thermoplastic Polyurethene (often applied to elastomers) |
| TPV |
Thermoplastic Vulcanizate |
| TS |
Thermoset |
| TYS |
Tensile Yield Strength |
| UF |
Urea Formaldehyde |
| UHMW |
Ultra High Molecular Weight (often applied to polyethylene) |
| UL |
Underwriters Laboratory |
| ULDPE |
Ultra Low Density Polyethylene |
| UP |
Unsaturated Polyester (Thermoset) |
| USDA |
United States Department of Agriculture |
| UTS |
Ultimate Tensile Strength |
| UV |
Ultraviolet |
| VCE |
Poly(Vinyl Chloride-Ethylene) |
| VCEMA |
Poly(Vinyl Chloride-Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate) |
| VCMA |
Poly(Vinyl Chloride-Methyl Acrylate) |
| VCVAC |
Poly(Vinyl Chloride-Vinyl Acrylate) |
| VCVDC |
Poly(Vinyl Chloride-Vinylidene Chloride) |
| VHMW |
Very High Molecular Weight (often applied to polyethylene) |
| VLDPE |
Very Low Density Polyethylene |
| WPE |
Weight per Epoxide (also called EEW) |
| XLPE |
Cross-linked Polyethylene |
