Acronyms and other short notations in polymer science & technology

compiled and updated by Axel Drefahl • axeleratio.com
Last updated on March 23, 2015
Names of macromolecules, polymer systems and polymerization reactions are often abbreviated—both in general-purpose publications and in the technical literature. The following table lists acronyms and other short notations of interest in polymer chemistry. It does not include abbreviations of monomer names. This table is updated periodically with new entries. Notes & links are provided for selected entries to reference abbreviations and to showcase their use in various contexts.
Abbreviation Expanded Form Notes & Links
ABA poly(acrlonitrile butadiene acrylate) MatWeb
ABR acrylate-butadiene rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
ABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin also: poly(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) (MatWeb); polymer processing
AES acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene copolymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
AMMA acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate copolymer also: poly(acrylonitrile methyl methacrylate) (MatWeb)
APP atactic poly(propylene)
ASA poly(acrylic styrene acrylonitrile) MatWeb
ATRP atom-transfer radical polymerization page 105 in [2]
BOPP biaxially oriented poly(propylene) film MatWeb
CAB cellulose acetate butyrate
CAP cellulose acetate propionate
CBT cyclic butylene terephthalate
CMC carboxymethyl cellulose Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
CMHEC carboxymethyl/hydroxyethyl cellulose Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
CPE chlorinated poly(ethylene)
CPET crystallizable poly(ethylene terephthalate) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
CPVC chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)
CTA cellulose triacetate Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
EAA ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer
ECTFE ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer
EAA ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer
EHEC ethyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
EMA ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer
EPDM ethylene-propylene-nonconjugated diene copolymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
EP-HI high-impact epoxy resin Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
EPM ethylene-propylene elastomeric copolymer
ePP elastomeric poly(propylene) page 248 in [1]
ETFE ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer
EVA ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
EVAC ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers
EVAL® ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer
GTP group-transfer polymerization page 141 in [2]
HBP hyperbranched polymer
HEC hydroxyethyl cellulose Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
HDPE high-density poly(ethylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
HIPS high-impact poly(styrene)
HNBR hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
HPC hydroxypropyl cellulose Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
HPMC hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
IIR isobutene-isoprene copolymer (rubber) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
IPN interpenetrating network
IPS impact-modified poly(styrene)
LCP liquid-crystalline polymer
LDPE low-density poly(ethylene)
LLDPE linear low-density poly(ethylene)
LMDPE linear medium-density poly(ethylene)
MABS methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer
MADIX macromolecular design via the interchange of xanthates (polymerization)
MBS methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer
MCLCP main-chain liquid-crystalline polymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
MDPE medium-density poly(ethylene)
MFQ methyl fluorosilicone rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
mPE metallocene-catalyzed poly(ethylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
MPF melamine-phenol-formaldehyde resin Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
MPIA poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide)
mPP metallocene-catalyzed poly(propylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
MPQ methyl phenyl silicone rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
MPVQ methyl phenyl vinyl silicone rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
MVQ methyl vinyl silicone rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
MVFQ methyl vinyl fluorosilicone rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
MXD poly(m-xylylene adipamide)
NBR acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (nitrile rubber) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
NCR acrylonitrile-chloroprene rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
NMP nitroxide-mediated polymerization page 101 in [2]
OER oil-extended rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
OPET oriented poly(ethylene terephthalate)
OPP oriented isotactic poly(propylene)
OPS oriented poly(styrene) film
OPVC oriented poly(vinyl chloride)
PA* saran-coated polyamide Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA** metal-coated polyamide Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 4.2 poly(tetramethylene oxalamide) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 4.6 poly(tetramethylene adipamide) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 6 poly(ε-caprolactam) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 6.6 poly(hexamethylene adipamide) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 6.9 poly(hexamethylene azelamide) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 6.10 poly(hexamethylene sebacamide) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 6.12 poly(hexamethylene dodecanoamide) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 11 poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PA 12 poly(ω-laurolactam) also: poly(dodecanolactam) (page 241 in [1])
PAA poly(acrylic acid)
PAB poly(1,4-benzamide)
PAC poly(acrylonitrile)
PADC poly(allyl diglycol carbonate)
PAE polyarylether Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PAEK polyaryletherketone
PAI polyamide-imide
PAMAM poly(amidoamine) Wikipedia; dendrimers
PAMS poly(α-methylstyrene)
PAN poly(acrylonitrile) polymer processing
PAPA poly(azeleic anhydride)
PAR polyarylate
PARA polyaryl amide
PASU polyarylsulfone Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PAUR poly(ester urethane)
PBA poly(butyl acrylate) polymer processing
PBAN poly(butadiene-co-acrylonitrile)
PBI poly(benzimidazole)
PBMA poly(butyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PBN poly(1,4-butylene-2,6-naphthalate)
PBOX poly(2,6-benzobisoxazolediyl-1,4-phenylene)
PBR vinyl pyridine-butadiene copolymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PBS poly(butadiene-co-styrene Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PBT poly(butylene terephthalate) polymer processing
PBTZ poly(2,6-benzobisthiazolediyl-1,4-phenylene)
PBzMA poly(benzyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PCDT poly(1,4-cyclohexyldimethylol terephthalate)
PCHMA poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PCT poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) polymer processing
PCTFE poly(chlorotrifluoroethylene)
PDAF poly(diallyl fumarate)
PDAIP poly(diallyl isophthalate)
PDAM poly(diallyl maleate)
PDAP poly(diallyl phthalate)
PDCPD poly(dicyclopentadiene)
PDMS poly(dimethyl siloxane) also: polydimethylsiloxane
PE-C chlorinated poly(ethylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PE-HMW high molecular weight poly(ethylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PE-UHMW ultrahigh molecular weight poly(ethylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PE-X crosslinked poly(ethylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PEA poly(ethyl acrylate) polymer processing
PEDOT poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Wikipedia
PEDOT-TMA poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-tetramethacrylate Wikipedia
PEEK poly(etheretherketone) polymer processing
PEEKK polyetheretherketoneketone Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PEBA polyether-block-amide thermoplastic elastomer
PEG poly(ethylene glycol)
PEI polyetherimide polymer processing
PEIP poly(ethylene isophthalate) polymer processing
PEK polyether ketone
PEKEKK polyether ketone ether ketone ketone Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PEKK polyether ketone ketone Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PEMA poly(ethyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PEN poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate) polymer processing
PEO poly(ethylene oxide)
PEP poly(ethylene phthalate) polymer processing
PES poly(ether sulfone) polymer processing; Macrogalleria
PET poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymer processing;
PET* saran-coatedpoly(ethylene terephthalate)
PEUR poly(ether urethane)
PFA perfluoro(alkoxy alkane)
PFF phenol-furfural polymer
PHA poly(hydroxy alkanoate)
PHAS poly(α-hydroxy acrylic acid)
PHB poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)
PHEMA poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)
PHMA poly(hexyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PIB poly(isobutylene) polymer processing
PIBMA poly(isobutyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PIBO poly(isobutylene oxide)
PIPA poly(isopropyl acrylate) polymer processing
PIPMA poly(isopropyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PIR poly(isocyanurate)
PISU polyimidesulfone
PLA poly(lactic acid)
PLP pulse-laser polymerization
PMA poly(methyl crylate) polymer processing
PMCA poly(methyl α-chloroacrylate)
PMI poly(methacrylimide)
PMMA poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PMMI polypyromellith imide Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PMP poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) polymer processing
PMPI poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide)
PMQ phenyl-methyl silicone rubbers Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PMS poly(p-methyl styrene)
PNF phosphorus nitrile fluoroelastomer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PNR poly(norbornene) rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
POB poly(p-hydoxybenzoate)
POE poly(olefin) elastomer
POM poly(oxymethylene) polymer processing
POP poly(olefin) plastomer
PP* metallized poly(propylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PPA polyphthalamide
PPD-T poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PPG poly(propylene glycol)
PPhMA poly(phenyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PPI polymeric polyisocyanate
PPMA poly(n-propyl methacrylate) polymer processing
PPO poly(phenylene oxide) also: poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide); polymer processing
PPOX poly(propylene oxide)
PPP poly(p-phenylene)
PPS poly(p-phenylene sulfide) polymer processing
PPSU poly(phenylene sulfone)
PPT poly(1,3-propyle terephthalate)
PPTA poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)
PPY polypyrrole page 636 in [2]
PSBR vinyl pyridine-styrene-butadiene rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PS-HI high-impact poly(styrene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PS-I impact-modified poly(styrene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PSU polysulfone polymer processing
PTAC poly(triallyl cyanurate)
PTFE poly(tetrafluoroethylene) polymer processing
PTHF poly(tetrahydrofuran)
PTMA poly(tetramethylene adipate)
PTMEG poly(tetramethylene ether glycol)
PTMG poly(tetramethylene glycol)
PTMT poly(tetramethylene terephthalate)
PUR polyurethane
PVA poly(vinyl alcohol)
PVAC poly(vinyl acetate)
PVAL poly(vinyl alcohol)
PVB poly(vinyl butyral)
PVC poly(vinyl chloride) polymer processing
PVC-C chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)
PVC-P plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PVC-U unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PVCA vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PVCH poly(vinyl cyclohexane)
PVDC poly(vinylidene chloride)
PVDF poly(vinylidene fluoride) polymer processing
PVF poly(vinyl fluoride)
PVFM poly(vinyl formal) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
PVI poly(vinyl isobutyl ether)
PVK poly(N-vinyl carbazole)
PVM vinyl chloride-vinyl methyl ether copolymer
PVME poly(vinyl methyl ether)
PVOH poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer processing
PVP poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)
RAFT reversible-addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (radical polymerization) page 109 in [2]
ROMP ring-opening metathesis polymerization page 185 in [2]
RTPMMA rubber-toughened poly(methyl methacrylate) page 586 in [2]
SAN poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) polymer processing
SBR styrene-butadiene copolymer (rubber) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
SBS styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
SCLCP side-chain liquid-crystalline polymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
SCR styrene-chloroprene copolymer (rubber) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
SEBS hydrogenated styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
SIR styrene-isoprene rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
SIS styrene-isoprene-styrene triblock copolymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
SMA styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer polymer processing
SMC sheet molding compound Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
SMI styrene-maleimide copolymer
SMS styrene-α-methylstyrene copolymer
sPP syndiotactic polypropylene page 249 in [1]; crystallization
sPS syndiotactic polystyrene network structure
SFRP stable-free-radical-mediated polymerization page 101 in [2]
SRP styrene-rubber plastic Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPE thermoplastic elastomer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPE-A segmented ether-amide thermoplastic elastomer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPE-E segmented ether-ester thermoplastic elastomer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPE-O thermoplastic olefin elastomer (mostly PP + EPDM) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPE-S styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock thermoplastic elastomer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPE-U urethane thermoplastic elastomer with ether or ester segments Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPEL thermoplastic elastomer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPES thermoplastic polyester Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPO thermoplastic olefin elastomer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPR 1,5-trans-poly(pentenamer) rubber Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TPUR thermoplastic polyurethane Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
TSUR thermoset polyurethane Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
UHMWPE ultrahigh molecular weight poly(ethylene)
VCE vinyl chloride-ethylene resin Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VC/E/MA vinyl chloride/ethylene/methyl acrylate Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VCEV vinyl chloride-ethylene-vinyl Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VC/E/VAC vinyl chloride/ethylene/vinylacetate Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VCMA vinyl chloride-methyl acrylate polymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VCMMA vinyl chloride-methyl methacrylate polymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VCOA vinyl chloride-octyl acrylate resin Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VCVAC vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VCVDC vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride polymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
VF/HFP vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
XABS acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-carboxylic group Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
XLPE crosslinkabe poly(ethylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
XNBR acrylonitrile-butadiene-carboxylic group Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
XPE crosslinked poly(ethylene) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
XPS expandable poly(styrene) (crosslinkable) Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
XSBR styrene-butadiene-carboxylic group Table 16-7 in Appendix of [1]
References
[1] . An Introduction to Plastics. Second, Completely Revised Edition. WILEY-VCH GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim, Germany, 2003.
[2] . Introduction to Polymers. Third Edition. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2011.