Engineering Plastics Reference Table: Abbreviations, Chinese Names and Applications (PP/PE/PTFE/ABS/PA/PEEK)
Why keep this table handy
The same plastic goes by a drawing abbreviation, a Chinese full name and a trade name — PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene and Teflon are the same material. Mismatched names lead to wrong purchase orders and wrong parameters. The table below covers 20+ engineering plastics regularly machined at Cremage, with abbreviation, full name, common trade names, key properties and typical applications.
Commodity engineering plastics
| Abbreviation | Full name | Common name | Key properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | ABS resin | Well-balanced, easy to process | Housings, structural parts |
| PP | Polypropylene | — | Chemical resistance, light, fatigue-resistant | Chemical tanks, fittings |
| PE | Polyethylene | UPE = ultra-high molecular weight PE | Wear-resistant, self-lubricating | Wear strips, guides |
| PVC | Polyvinyl chloride | — | Corrosion-resistant, flame-retardant | Tanks, piping |
| PMMA | Polymethyl methacrylate | Acrylic, plexiglass | 92% light transmission, hard surface | Windows, panels, displays |
| PA | Polyamide | Nylon | Wear-resistant, tough | Gears, sliders |
| PET | Polyethylene terephthalate | — | Dimensionally stable | Precision transmission parts |
| PBT | Polybutylene terephthalate | — | Good electricals | Connectors |
| PU | Polyurethane | — | Elastic, wear-resistant | Cushioning, squeegees |
High-performance engineering plastics
| Abbreviation | Full name | Common name | Key properties | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POM | Polyoxymethylene | Acetal, Delrin | High stiffness, self-lubricating | Precision gears, valves |
| PTFE | Polytetrafluoroethylene | Teflon | Chemical inertness, lowest friction | Seals, anti-corrosion parts |
| PPO | Polyphenylene oxide | — | Electricals, hydrolysis resistance | Electrical, water treatment |
| PPS | Polyphenylene sulfide | — | High temperature, chemical resistance | High-temp electricals |
| PEI | Polyetherimide | ULTEM | High temperature, transparent | Semiconductor/medical parts |
| PEEK | Polyetheretherketone | — | High strength at temperature | Semiconductor, aerospace |
| PI | Polyimide | — | Extreme temperature/electricals | High-temp insulation |
| PBI | Polybenzimidazole | — | Highest commercial use temperature | Extreme wear parts |
| FR4 | Epoxy glass-fiber laminate | — | Insulation, strength | Insulation boards, jigs |
| Phenolic | Phenolic laminate | Bakelite, compact laminate | Insulation, stiffness, heat resistance | Electrical jigs, worktops |
Note: PBT appears in the commodity table above. The high-performance table is ordered by temperature/capability tier — PEEK, PI and PBI are specialty plastics with prices rising in the same order.
Quick selector: requirement to material
- Wear-resistant transmission (gears, sliders, bearings): POM, PA, PE (UPE); add PEEK for stiffness at temperature;
- Transparent (windows, panels): PMMA (appearance first), PC (impact first);
- Corrosion (chemical, plating, acids): PTFE, PVC, PP;
- High temperature: step up through PPS → PEI → PEEK → PI → PBI;
- Electrical insulation: FR4, phenolic, PBT, PPO;
- Anti-static: anti-static modified grades of the above (surface resistance 10⁶–10⁹Ω), common in semiconductor/electronics.
A machining note buyers often miss
The same material behaves very differently depending on the process: PTFE is grippy and gums up tools, POM hates heat build-up, PC sheet needs thermal expansion clearance, cold-folded parts must avoid aggressive chemicals — all standard practice at Cremage. Involve the machine shop when choosing the material, and you avoid most rework.
What Cremage offers
Cremage machines the full range above in sheet, rod and tube form: precision CNC machining (±0.01 mm), injection molding and tooling, hot/cold bending, anti-static modification — serving automation, semiconductor, medical, new energy and laboratory industries. Send us your working conditions and drawings for free material and process advice.