| ABA | Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Acrylate |
| ABS | Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene |
| ACM | Acrylic Acid Ester Rubber |
| ACS | Acrylonitrile-Chlorinated Polyethylene Styrene |
| Additive | Substance added to a polymer.Examples of additives are antioxidants, plasticizers, flame retardants, processing aids, other polymers, colorants, UV absorbers, and extenders. |
| Adhesion | Holding together of two bodies by interfacial forces or mechanical interlocking on a scale of micrometers or less. |
| AES | Acrylonitrile Ethylene Styrene |
| Alternating Copolymer | Copolymer consisting of macromolecules comprising two species of monomeric units in alternating sequence. |
| Alternating Copolymerization | Copolymerization in which an alternating copolymer is formed. |
| AMA | Acrylate Maleic Anhydride |
| AMMA | Acrylonitrile-Methyl Methacrylate |
| AN | Acrylonitrile |
| Anionic Polymer | Polymer composed of negatively charged macromolecules and an equivalent amount of countercations |
| Anionic Polymerization | Ionic polymerization in which the kinetic-chain carriers are anions |
| AO | Antioxidant |
| APET | Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthlate |
| API | American Petroleum Institute |
| APO | Amorphous Polyolefin |
| APWA | All Polymeric Wear Additive |
| ARP | Arylterephthalate Copolyester |
| AS | Acrylonitrile Styrene. Copolymer |
| ASA | Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate |
| ASTM | American Society for Testing and Materials |
| Asymmetric Polymerization | Polymerization that proceeds in an unsymmetrical manner in terms of chirality under the influence of chiral features present in one or more components of the reaction system. |
| Atactic Block | Regular block that has equal numbers of the possible configurational base units in a random sequence distribution. |
| Atactic Macromolecule | Regular macromolecule that has an equal number of the possible configurational base units in a random sequence distribution. |
| Atactic Polymer | Regular polymer, the molecules of which have equal numbers of the possible configurational base units in a random sequence distribution. |
| ATH | Aluminium Trihydrate |
| BDMA | Benzyl Dimethyl Amine (Epoxy Cure Accelerator) |
| BDS | Butadiene-Styrene Block. Copolymer |
| BGE | Butyl Glycidyl Ether |
| BIIR | Bromobutyl Rubber |
| Biodegradable Polymer | Polymer susceptible to degradation by biological activity, with the degradation accompanied by a lowering of its molar mass. |
| Block | Portion of a macromolecule, comprising many constitutional units, that has at least one constitutional or configurational feature which is not present in the adjacent portions. |
| Block Copolymer | A block copolymer is a copolymer formed when two monomers come together and form "blocks" of repeating units. |
| Block Macromolecule | Macromolecule which is composed of blocks in linear sequence. |
| Block Polymer | Polymer composed of block macromolecules. |
| BMC | Bulk Molding Compound |
| BMI | Bis Maleimide |
| BOPP | Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene |
| BR | Butadiene Rubber |
| Branched Chain | Chain with at least one branch point between the boundary units |
| Branched Polymer | Polymer, the molecules of which are branched chains. |
| CA | Cellulose Acetate |
| CAB | Cellulose Acetate Butyrate |
| CAP | Cellulose Acetate Propionate |
| Cationic Polymer | Polymer composed of positively charged macromolecules and an equivalent amount of counteranions. |
| Cationic Polymerization | Ionic polymerization in which the kinetic-chain carriers are cations |
| CE | Cellulose |
| CF | Cresol Formaldehyde |
| CFR | Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR has provisions dealing with food contact of polymers) |
| CGE | Cresol Glycidyl Ether |
| Chain | Whole or part of a macromolecule, an oligomer molecule, or a block, comprising a linear or branched sequence of constitutional units between two boundary constitutional units, each of which may be either an end-group, a branch point, or an otherwise-designated characteristic feature of the macromolecule. |
| Chain Growth Polymerization | Chain-growth polymerization is polymer is formed early in the polymerization process and the polymer yield (the percentage conversion of the monomer into the polymer) gradually increases with time. |
| Chain Scission | Chemical reaction resulting in the breaking of skeletal bonds |
| CHDM | Cyclohexanedimethanol |
| Chemical Adhesion | Adhesion in which two bodies are held together at an interface by ionic or covalent bonding between molecules on either side of the interface. |
| CIIR | Chlorobutyl Rubber |
| Cistactic Polymer | Tactic polymer in which the main-chain double bonds of the configurational base units are entirely in the Z configuration. |
| CM | Chlorinated Polyethylene Rubber |
| CMC | Carboxymethyl Cellulose |
| CN | Cellulose Nitrate |
| CO | Epichlorohydrin Rubber (Homopolymer) |
| COC | Cyclo Olefin Copolymer |
| COF | Coefficient of Friction |
| Comb Macromolecule | Macromolecule comprising a main chain with multiple trifunctional branch points from each of which a linear side-chain emanates. |
| Comb Polymer | Polymer composed of comb macromolecules. |
| Compatibility | "Capability of the individual component substances in either an immiscible polymer blend or a polymer composite to exhibit interfacial adhesion." |
| Compatibilization | Process of modification of the interfacial properties in an immiscible polymer blend that results in formation of the interphases and stabilization of the morphology, leading to the creation of a compatible polymer blend. |
| Compatibilizer | Polymer or copolymer that, when added to an immiscible polymer blend, modifies its interfacial character and stabilizes its morphology. |
| Compatible Polymer Blend | Immiscible polymer blend that exhibits macroscopically uniform physical properties. |
| Composite | Multicomponent material comprising multiple, different (non-gaseous) phase domains in which at least one type of phase domain is a continuous phase. |
| Conducting Polymer | Polymeric material that exhibits bulk electric conductance. |
| Co-Oligomer | Oligomer derived from more than one species of monomer. |
| Co-Oligomerization | Oligomerization in which a co-oligomer is formed. |
| COP | Copolyester. Thermoplastic Elastomer |
| Copolymer | Polymer derived from more than one species of monomer. |
| Copolymer Micelle | Micelle formed by one or more block or graft copolymer molecules in a selective solvent. |
| Copolymerization | Polymerization in which a copolymer is formed. |
| Coupling Agent | Interfacial agent comprised of molecules possessing two or more functional groups, each of which exhibits preferential interactions with the various types of phase domains in a composite. |
| CP | Cellulose Propionate |
| CPE | Chlorinated Polyethylene |
| CPVC | Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride |
| CR | Polychloroprene Rubber |
| Crystalline Polymer | Polymer showing crystallinity. |
| Crystallinity | Presence of three-dimensional order on the level of atomic dimensions. |
| CSM | Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Rubber |
| CTA | Cellulose Triacetate |
| CTE | Coefficient of Thermal Expansion |
| CTFE | Chlorotrifluoroethylene |
| CTI | Comparative Tracking Index |
| CVD | Chemical Vapor Deposition |
| Cyclopolymerization | Polymerization in which the number of cyclic structures in the constitutional units of the resulting macromolecules is larger than in the monomer molecules. |
| DAIP | Diallylisophthalate |
| DAM | Dry As Molded (applied to nylon and oher hygroscopic polymers) |
| DAP | Diallyl Phthalate. Thermoset |
| DCPD | Dicyclopentadiene |
| DDS | Diaminodiphenyl Sulfone (Epoxy Cure Agent) |
| Degree Of Compatibility | Measure of the strength of the interfacial bonding between the component substances of a composite or immiscible polymer blend. |
| Degree Of Crystallinity | Fractional amount of crystallinity in a polymer sample. |
| Degree Of Polymerization | Number of monomeric units in a macromolecule an oligomer molecule, a block, or a chain. |
| Delamination | Process that separates the layers of a laminate by breaking their structure in planes parallel to those layers. |
| Depolymerization | Process of converting a polymer into its monomer or a mixture of monomers. |
| DGEBA | Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A |
| DIN | Deutches Institut für Normung |
| Diisotactic Polymer | Isotactic polymer that contains two chiral or prochiral atoms with defined stereochemistry in the main chain of the configurational base unit. |
| Dispersing Agent | Additive, exhibiting surface activity, that is added to a suspending medium to promote uniform and maximum separation of extremely fine solid particles, often of colloidal size |
| Dispersion | Material comprising more than one phase where at least one of the phases consists of finely divided phase domains, often in the colloidal size range, distributed throughout a continuous phase domain. |
| Disyndiotactic Polymer | Syndiotactic polymer that contains two chiral or prochiral atoms with defined stereochemistry in the main chain of the configurational base unit. |
| Ditactic Polymer | Tactic polymer that contains two sites of defined stereoisomerism in the main chain of the configurational base unit. |
| DMC | Dough Moulding Compound |
| Double-Strand Polymer | A polymer the macromolecules of which are double-strand macromolecules. |
| DTUL | Deflection Temperature Under Load |
| E/VAC | Ethylene/Vinyl Acetate Copolymer |
| EAA | Ethylene Acrylic Acid Copolymer |
| EBAC | Ethylene Butyl Acrylate |
| EC | Ethyl Cellulose |
| ECN | Epoxy Cresol Novolac |
| ECO | Epichlorohydrin Rubber (Ethylene Oxide Copolymer) |
| ECTFE | Ethylene chlorotrifluoro ethylene |
| EEA | Ethylene-Ethyl Acrylate |
| EEW | Epoxy Equivalent Weight (Also called WPE) |
| EMAAA | Ethylene Acid Terpolymer |
| EMAC | Ethylene-methyl acrylate |
| EMCM | Ethylene Methyl Acrylate Cyclohexene Methyl Acrylate |
| EMI | Electromagnetic Interference |
| EnBA | Ethylene n-butyl acetate |
| End-Group | A constitutional unit that is an extremity of a macromolecule or oligomer molecule. An end-group is attached to only one constitutional unit of a macromolecule or oligomer molecule. |
| EP | Epoxy; Epoxide |
| EPA | Environmental Protection Agency (US Government) |
| EPDM | Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer. |
| EPM | Ethylene Propylene Copolymer |
| EPN | Epoxy Phenol Novolac |
| EPR | Ethylene-Propylene Rubber = EPM |
| EPS | Expanded Polystyrene |
| ESCR | Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance |
| ETFE | Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene |
| ETPU | Engineering Thermoplastic Polyurethane |
| EVA | Ethylene Vinyl Acetate |
| EVAC | Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Copolymer |
| EVAL | Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol |
| EVOH | Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol |
| Exfoliation | Process by which the layers of a multi-layered structure separate. |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration (US Government) |
| FEP | Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene |
| Ferroelectric Polymer | Polymer in which spontaneous polarization arises when dipoles become arranged parallel to each other by electric fields. |
| Ferromagnetic Polymer | Polymer that exhibits magnetic properties because it has unpaired electron spins aligned parallel to each other or electron spins that can easily be so aligned. |
| FMQ | Fluorosilicone Rubber |
| FPM | Fluorocarbon Rubber |
| FPVC | Flexible Polyvinyl Chloride |
| FR | Flame Retardant |
| FRP | Fiber reinforced plastic |
| FVMQ | Fluorosilicone Rubber |
| FZ | Fluorinated Polyphosphazene Rubber |
| GFR | Glass Fiber Reinforced |
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | The temperature below which a polymer originally in the amorphous, rubbery state moves to a brittle, amorphous glassy state. The transition from rubber to glass (or glass to rubber) is a second-order transition. Polymer chains can move past each other above Tg, making the bulk polymer processable. |
| GMT | Glass Mat Thermoplastic |
| GP | General Purpose |
| GPO | Propylene Oxide Rubber |
| GPPS | General Purpose Polystyrene |
| Graft Copolymer | A type of copolymer in which one or more blocks of homopolymer are grafted as branches onto a main chain, meaning it is a branched copolymer with one or more side chains of a homopolymer attached to the backbone of the main chain |
| Graft Macromolecule | Macromolecule with one or more species of block connected to the main chain as sidechains, these side-chains having constitutional or configurational features that differ from those in the main chain. |
| Graft Polymer | Polymer composed of graft macromolecules. a branched polymer in which the branches have a different chemistry than the main chain |
| GRP | Glass Reinforced Plastic |
| HAI | High Amp Arc Ignition |
| Halato-Telechelic Polymer | Polymer composed of linear macromolecules having ionic or ionizable end-groups. |
| HALS | Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer |
| HDPE | High Density Polyethylene |
| HDT | Heat Deflection Temperature or Heat Distortion Temperature |
| HEMA | Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Polymer |
| HFP | Hexafluoropropylene |
| HIPS | High Impact Polystyrene |
| HMC | High Strength Molding Compound |
| HMWHDPE | High molecular weight high density polyethylene |
| HNBR | Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber |
| Homologous Polymer Blend | Mixture of two or more fractions of the same polymer, each of which has a different molar-mass distribution. |
| Homopolymer | Polymer derived from one species of (real, implicit or hypothetical) monomer. a polymer made of only one type of monomer repeat unit, e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate). |
| Homopolymerization | Polymerization in which a homopolymer is formed. |
| 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 |
| I | Ionomer |
| IBS | Interactive Blowing System |
| IIR | Butyl Rubber |
| IM | Injection Molded |
| IMR | Internal Mold Release |
| IPN | Interpenetrating polymer network |
| ISO | International Standards Organization |
| Impact-Modified Polymer | Polymeric material whose impact resistance and toughness have been increased by the incorporation of phase microdomains of a rubbery material. |
| Impregnation | Penetration of monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric liquids into an assembly of fibers. |
| Intercalation | Process by which a substance becomes transferred into pre-existing spaces of molecular dimensions in a second substance. |
| Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) | Polymer comprising two or more networks which are at least partially interlaced on a molecular scale but not covalently bonded to each other and cannot be separated unless chemical bonds are broken. |
| Ionic Copolymerization | Copolymerization which is an ionic polymerization. |
| Ionic Polymerization | Chain polymerization in which the kinetic-chain carriers are ions or ion-pairs. |
| Ionomer | Polymer composed of macromolecules in which a small but significant proportion of the constitutionalunits has ionic or ionizable groups, or both. |
| Ionomer Molecule | Macromolecule in which a small but significant proportion of the constitutional units has ionizable or ionic groups, or both |
| Irregular Polymer | Polymer composed of irregular macromolecules. |
| Isotactic Macromolecule | Number of monomeric units in a macromolecule an oligomer molecule, a block, or a chain. |
| Isotactic Polymer | Polymer composed of isotactic macromolecules. |
| Lateral Order | Order in the side-by-side packing of the molecules of a linear polymer. |
| LCP | Liquid crystal polymer = SRP |
| LDPE | Low Density Polyethylene |
| Linear Chain | Chain with no branch points between the boundary units. |
| Linear Copolymer | Copolymer composed of linear macromolecules. |
| Linear Polymer | A polymer that is a single continuous chain of chemically linked monomer repeat units without any branching, e.g., polystyrene. |
| Liquid-Crystalline Colymer | Polymeric material that, under suitable conditions of temperature, pressure, and concentration, exists as a liquid-crystalline mesophase |
| Living Copolymerization | Copolymerization which is a living polymerization. |
| Living Polymerization | Chain polymerization from which chain transfer and chain termination are absent. |
| LLDPE | Linear Low Density Polyethylene |
| LMDPE | Linear Medium Density Polyethylene |
| Long Chain | Chain of high relative molecular mass. |
| Longitudinal Order | Order in the atomic positions along the chains of a linear polymer. |
| LPE | Linear Polyethylene |
| MA | Maleic Anhydride |
| MABS | methyl methacrylate/ABS copolymer |
| Macromonomer | Polymer or oligomer composed of macromonomer molecules. |
| Macroporous Polymer | Glass or rubbery polymer that includes a large number of macropores (50 nm–1 μm in diameter) that persist when the polymer is immersed in solvents or in the dry state. |
| Masterbatch | A solid additive for plastic used for coloring plastics (color masterbatch) or imparting other properties to plastics (additive masterbatch). |
| MBS | Methyl methacrylate butadiene styrene. terpolymer |
| MD | Metal Deactivator |
| MDPE | Medium Density Polyethylene |
| MEKP | Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide (Thermoset Curing Agent) |
| Melting Temperature ( tm) | A temperature at which crystalline or semi-crystalline polymers melt to form an amorphous phase. Tm is higher than Tg. |
| Mesogenic Monomer | Monomer which can impart the properties of liquid crystals to the polymers formed by its polymerization. |
| MF | Melamine-Formaldehyde |
| MFI | Melt Flow Index |
| Miscibility | Capability of a mixture to form a single phase over certain ranges of temperature, pressure, and composition. |
| Monodisperse Polymer | Polymer composed of molecules uniform with respect to relative molecular mass and constitution. |
| Monomer | Substance composed of monomer molecules. |
| Monomer Molecule | Molecule which can undergo polymerization, thereby contributing constitutional units to the essential structure of a macromolecule. |
| MP | Melamine Phenolic |
| Multiphase Copolymer | Copolymer comprising phase-separated domains. |
| MVTR | Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate |
| MWD | Molecular Weight Distribution |
| Nanocomposite | Composite in which at least one of the phases has at least one dimension of the order of nanometers. |
| NB | No Break (Applied to Impact Test Results) |
| NBR | Nitrile Butadiene Rubber |
| Network Polymer | Polymer composed of one or more networks. |
| NHFR | Non-Halogen Flame Retardant |
| NHT | High Temperature Nylon |
| Nonlinear Optical Polymer | Polymer that exhibits an optical effect brought about by electromagnetic radiation such that the magnitude of the effect is not proportional to the irradiance. |
| Non-Uniform Polymer | Polymer comprising molecules non-uniform with respect to relative molecular mass or constitution or both. |
| NR | Natural Rubber |
| NSF | National Sanitation Foundation (nonregulatory agency) |
| OB | Optical Brightener |
| ODP | Ozone Depletion Potential |
| Oligomer | Substance composed of oligomer molecules. |
| Oligomer Molecule | Molecule of intermediate relative molecular mass, the structure of which essentially comprises a small plurality of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules of lower relative molecular mass. |
| Oligomerization | Process of converting a monomer or a mixture of monomers into an oligomer. |
| OPP | Oriented Polypropylene |
| OPS | Oriented Polystyrene (Film) |
| Optically Active Polymer | Polymer capable of rotating the polarization plane of a transmitted beam of linear-polarized light. |
| OSA | Olefin modified styrene acrylonitrile |
| P | Phenolic |
| PA | Polyacrylate |
| PA | Polyamide (Nylon) |
| PA 11 | Naylon 11 |
| PA 12 | Naylon 12 |
| PA 46 | Nylon 46 |
| PA 6 | Nylon 6 |
| PA 610 | Nylon 610 |
| PA 66 | Nylon 66 |
| PA 66/610 | Nylon 66/610. Copolymer |
| PAA | Poly Acetic Acid |
| PAA | Polaryl Amide |
| PAE | Polyarylether |
| PAEK | Polyaryletherketone |
| PAI | Polyamide-Imide |
| PAK | Polyester Alkyd |
| PAL | Polyanaline |
| PAMS | Poly(Alpha Methylstyrene) |
| PAN | Polyacrylonitrile |
| PARA | Polyarylamide (polyaramide) |
| PAS | Polyarylsulfone |
| PASA | Polyamide, Semi-Aromatic (Nylon) |
| PASU | Polyarylsulfone |
| PB | Polubutylene |
| PB | Polybutadiene |
| PBAN | Polybutadiene Acrylonitrile |
| PBD | Polybutadine |
| PBI | Polybenzimidazole |
| PBN | Polybutylene Napthalate |
| PBS | Polybutadiene Styrene |
| PC | Polycarbonate |
| PC/ABS | Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blend |
| PCL | Polycaprolactone |
| PCP | Post-Consumer Plastic |
| PCR | Post-Consumer Resin |
| PCT | Polycyclohexylene Terephthallate |
| PCTFE | Polychlorortrifluoroethylene |
| PCT-G | Glycol modified polycyclohexyl terephthallate |
| PCU | Polycarbonate Urethane |
| PDAP | Poly(Diallyl Phthalate) |
| PDAP | Poly(Diallyl Phthalate) |
| PDCPD | Polydicyclopentadiene |
| PDLA | Poly d-Lactic Acid |
| PDMS | Polydimethylsiloxane (Silicone) |
| PE | Polyethylene |
| PEBA | Polyether Block Amide |
| PEEK | Polyetheretherketone |
| PEEL | Polyester Elastomer |
| PEF | Process Engineered Fuel |
| PEG | Polyethylene Glycol |
| PEI | Polyetherimide |
| PEK | Polyetherketone |
| PEKEKK | Polyetherketone Etherketone Ketone |
| PEKK | Polyetherketoneketone |
| PEN | Polyethylene Naphthalate |
| PEO | Polyethylene Oxide |
| PEOX | Poly(Ethylene Oxide) |
| Periodic Copolymer | Copolymer consisting of macromolecules comprising more than two species of monomeric units in regular sequence. |
| Periodic Copolymerization | Copolymerization in which a periodic copolymer is formed. |
| PES | Polyethersulfone |
| PESU | Polyethersulfone |
| PET | Polyethylene Terephthalate |
| PET-G | Glycol Modified Polyethylene Terephthalate |
| PETP | Polyethylene Terephthalate |
| PEVA | Poly (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) |
| PEX | Cross-Linked Polyethylene |
| PF | Phenol Formaldehyde |
| PFA | Perfluoroalkoxy |
| PFPE | Polyperfluoropolyether |
| PGA | Polyglycolic Acid |
| PHA | Polyhydroxyalkanoate |
| PHB | Polyhydroxybutyrate |
| Photoelastic Polymer | Polymer that under stress exhibits birefringence. |
| Photoluminescent Polymer | Polymer that exhibits luminescence (i.e., fluorescence or phosphorescence arising from photoexcitation). |
| Photosensitive Polymer | Polymer that responds to ultraviolet or visible light by exhibiting a change in its physical properties or its chemical constitution. |
| PHV | Polyhydroxyvalerate |
| PI | Polyimide |
| PI | Polyisoprene |
| PIB | Polyisobutylene |
| PIR | Polyisocyanurate |
| PISU | Polyimidesulfone |
| PLA | Polylactic Acid |
| PLLA | Poly-L-lactide |
| PMAN | Polymethactylonitrile |
| PMMA | Polymethylmethacrylate |
| PMP | Polymethyl Pentene |
| PMS | Paramethylstyrene |
| PNR | Polynorborane Rubber |
| PO | Polyolefin |
| POB | Poly(p-Oxybenzoate) |
| Polyaddition | Polymerization in which the growth of polymer chains proceeds by addition reactions between molecules of all degrees of polymerization. |
| Polycondensation | Polymerization in which the growth of polymer chains proceeds by condensation reactions between molecules of all degrees of polymerization. |
| Polydisperse Polymer | Polymer comprising molecules non-uniform with respect to relative molecular mass or constitution or both. |
| Polyelectrolyte | Polymer composed of polyelectrolyte molecules. |
| Polymer | Polimer |
| Polymer Alloy | Polymeric material, exhibiting macroscopically uniform physical properties throughout its whole volume, that comprises a compatible polymer blend, a miscible polymer blend, or a multiphase copolymer. |
| Polymer Blend | Macroscopically homogeneous mixture of two or more different species of polymer. |
| Polymer Composite | Composite in which at least one component is a polymer. |
| Polymer Degradation | Chemical changes in a polymeric material that usually result in undesirable changes in the in-use properties of the material. |
| Polymer Reaction | Chemical reaction in which at least one of the reactants is a high-molar-mass substance. |
| Polymerization | Process of converting a monomer or a mixture of monomers into a polymer. |
| Polymerization | A chemical reaction that converts monomer molecules to macromolecules. |
| Polymer–Polymer Complex | Complex, at least two components of which are different polymers |
| Polyurethane | A polymer formed by reaction of polyisocyanates with polyols, whose monomer repeat units are linked together by urethane (carbamate) groups |
| POM | Polyoxymethylene |
| PP | Polypropylene |
| PPA | Polyphthalamide |
| PPC | Polyphthalate Carbonate |
| PPC | Polypropylene Copolymer |
| PPE | Polyphenylene Ether |
| PPF | Phenol-Furfural |
| PPG | Polypropylene Glycol |
| PPI | Polymeric Polyisocyanate |
| PPO | Polyphenylene Oxide |
| PPOX | Polypropylene Oxide |
| PPS | Polyphenylene Sulphide |
| PPSS | Polyphenylene Sulphide Sulphone |
| PPSU | Polyphenylene Sulfone |
| PPT | Polypropylene Terephthalate |
| Prepolymer | Polymer or oligomer composed of prepolymer molecules. |
| Prepolymer Molecule | Macromolecule or oligomer molecule capable of entering, through reactive groups, into further polymerization, thereby contributing more than one constitutional unit to at least one type of chain of the final macromolecules. |
| Prepreg | Sheets of a substrate that have been impregnated with a curable polymer, curable polymers, or liquid reactants, or a thermoplastic, and are ready for fabrication of laminates. |
| PRF | Plastics Recovery Facility |
| Primary Crystallization | First stage of crystallization, considered to be ended when most of the spherulite surfaces impinge on each other. |
| Propagation | The chemical reaction of monomer units to incorporate them into a growing chain. |
| PS | Polystyrene |
| PS-b-PI | Polystyrene/Polyisoprene Block Copolymer |
| Pseudo-Co-Oligomer | Irregular oligomer, the molecules of which are derived from only one species of monomer but which display a variety of structural features more appropriate for description in cooligomer terms. |
| Pseudo-Copolymer | Irregular polymer, the molecules of which are derived from only one species of monomer but which display a variety of structural features more appropriate for description in copolymer terms. |
| PSS | Polysupersulfone |
| PSU | Polysulfone |
| PTFE | Polytetrafluoroethylene |
| PTHV | Poly(Tetrafluoroethylene, Hexafluoropropylene and Vinylidene Fluoride) |
| PTMG | Polytetramethylene Glycol |
| PTMT | Polytetramethylene Terephthalate = PBT |
| PTT | Polytrimethylene Terephthalate |
| PU | Polyurethene |
| PUR | Polyurethene |
| PVA | Polyvinyl Alcohol |
| PVA | Polyvinyl Acetate |
| PVAc | Polyvinyl Acetate |
| PVAL | Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) |
| PVB | Polyvinyl Butyryl |
| PVC | Polyvinyl Chloride |
| PVCA | Polyvinyl Chloride Acetate |
| PVCC | Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride |
| PVCP | Polyvinyl Chloride Plasticised |
| PVCU | Polyvinyl Chloride Unplasticised |
| PVDA | Polyvinylidene Acetate |
| PVDC | Polyvinylidene Chloride |
| PVDF | Polyvinylidene Fluoride |
| PVF | Polyvinyl Fluoride |
| PVFM | Poly(Vinyl Formal) |
| PVK | Polyvinyl Carbazole |
| PVOH | Polyvinyl Alcohol |
| PVP | Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone |
| PZ | Polyphosphazene Rubber |
| Radical Copolymerization | Copolymerization which is a radical polymerization. |
| Radical Polymerization | Chain polymerization in which the kinetic-chain carriers are radicals. |
| Random Copolymer | Copolymer consisting of macromolecules in which the probability of finding a given monomeric unit at any given site in the chain is independent of the nature of the adjacent units. |
| Random Copolymerization | Copolymerization in which a random copolymer is formed. |
| Recrystallization | Reorganization proceeding through partial melting. |
| Regular Polymer | Polymer composed of regular macromolecules, regular star macromolecules, or regular comb macromolecules. |
| Resin | Soft solid or highly viscous substance, usually containing prepolymers with reactive groups. |
| RH | Relative Humidity |
| RIM | Reaction Injection Molding |
| Ring-Opening Copolymerization | Copolymerization which is a ring-opening polymerization with respect to at least one monomer. |
| Ring-Opening Polymerization | Polymerization in which a cyclic monomer yields a monomeric unit which is acyclic or contains fewer cycles than the monomer. |
| 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 | Styrene Acrylonitrile |
| SB | Styrene-Butadiene |
| SBC | Styrene-Butadiene Copolymer |
| SBR | Styrene Butadiene Rubber |
| SBS | Styrene Butadiene Styrene. Block Copolymer |
| SEBS | Styrene-Ethylene-Butadiene-Styrene |
| Secondary Crystallization | Crystallization occurring after primary crystallization, usually proceeding at a lower rate. |
| Segmented Copolymer | Copolymer containing phase domains of microscopic or smaller size, with the domains constituted principally of single types of constitutional unit. |
| Segregation | Rejection of a fraction of macromolecules, or of impurities, or both, from growing crystals. |
| Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network (SIPN) | Polymer comprising one or more networks and one or more linear or branched polymer(s) characterized by the penetration on a molecular scale of at least one of the networks by at least some of the linear or branched macromolecules. |
| Short Chain | Chain of low relative molecular mass. |
| SI | Silicone |
| SIS | Styrene Isoprene Styrene |
| Single-Strand Chain | "Chain that comprises constitutional units connected in such a way that adjacent constitutional units are joined to each other through two atoms, one on each constitutional unit. " |
| Single-Strand Polymer | Polymer, the macromolecules of which are single-strand macromolecules. |
| SLA | Stereolithography (Rapid Protoyping/3D Printing Technique) |
| SLS | Selective Laser Sintering (Rapid Protoyping/3D Printing Technique) |
| SMA | Styrene Maleic Anhydride |
| SMC | Sheet Molding Compound |
| SMMA | Styrene Methyl Methacrylate |
| SMP | Shape Memory Polymer |
| SMS | Styrene-a-Methylstyrene |
| SPS | Syndiotactic Polystyrene |
| SPU | Segmented Polyurethane |
| SRP | Self-Reinforcing Polymer |
| SRP | Self Reinforcing Polymer = LCP |
| Star Macromolecule | Macromolecule containing a single branch point from which linear chains (arms) emanate. |
| Star Polymer | Polymer composed of star macromolecules. a polymer in which three or more linear polymer chains radiate from a central, multifunctional moiety to which they are all chemically attached, either by coupling or by being grown from that moiety in the polymerization step. |
| Statistical Copolymer | Copolymer consisting of macromolecules in which the sequential distribution of the monomeric units obeys known statistical laws. |
| Statistical Copolymerization | Copolymerization in which a statistical copolymer is formed. |
| Stereoblock | Regular block that can be described by one species of stereorepeating unit in a single sequential arrangement. |
| Stereoblock Macromolecule | Block macromolecule composed of stereoregular, and possibly some non-stereoregular, blocks. |
| Stereoblock Polymer | Polymer, the molecules of which consist of stereoblocks, and possibly some non-stereoregular blocks. |
| Stereoregular Polymer | Polymer composed of stereoregular macromolecules. |
| Stereospecific Polymerization | Polymerization in which a tactic polymer is formed. However, polymerization in which stereoisomerism present in the monomer is merely retained in the polymer is not to be regarded as stereospecific. |
| Subchain | Arbitrarily chosen contiguous sequence of constitutional units, in a chain. |
| SVA | Styrene Vinyl Acrylonitrile |
| Syndiotactic Polymer | Polymer composed of syndiotactic macromolecules. |
| Tactic Block | Regular block that can be described by only one species of configurational repeating unit in a single sequential arrangement. |
| Tactic Block Polymer | Polymer, the molecules of which consist of tactic blocks connected linearly. |
| Tactic Macromolecule | " Regular macromolecule in which essentially all the configurational (repeating) units are identical. " |
| Tactic Polymer | Regular polymer, the molecules of which have essentially all identical configurational repeating units. |
| Tacticity | Orderliness of the succession of configurational repeating units in the main chain of a regular macromolecule, a regular oligomer molecule, a regular block, or a regular chain. |
| TAIC | Triallyl Isocyanurate |
| TEEE | Thermoplastic Elastomer Ether Ester Block Copolymer |
| TEO | Thermoplastic Elastic Olefin |
| Terpolymer | A copolymer comprising three different monomer repeat units, e.g., poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene). |
| TES | Thermoplastic Styrenic Elastomer |
| TFE | Polytetrafluoroethylene |
| Thermoplastic | A polymer that undergoes reversible softening upon heating and can be molded when hot. |
| Thermoplastic Elastomer | Melt-processable polymer blend or copolymer in which a continuous elastomeric phase domain is reinforced by dispersed hard (glassy or crystalline) phase domains that act as junction points over a limited range of temperature. |
| Thermoset | A polymer that chemically cures (crosslinks) upon heating into a form that does not soften on reheating. |
| Thermosetting Polymer | Prepolymer in a soft solid or viscous state that changes irreversibly into an infusible, insoluble polymer network by curing. |
| Thermotropic | Thermotropic’ describes a change of phase with a change of temperature. |
| THV | Tetrafluoroethylene, Hexafluoropropylene and Vinylidene Fluoride |
| TM | Transfer Molded |
| TMC | Thick Molding Compound |
| TP | Thermoplastic |
| TPE | Thermoplastic Elastomer |
| TPE-O | Thermoplastic Elastomer - Olefinic |
| TPE-S | Thermoplastic Elastomer - Styrenic |
| TPI | Thermoplastic Polyimide |
| TPO | Thermoplastic Elastomer - Olefinic |
| TPR | Thermoplatic Rubber |
| TPS | Toughened Polystyrene = HIPS |
| TPU | Thermoplastic Polyurethane |
| TPUR | Thermoplastic Polyurethene (Often Applied to Elastomers) |
| TPUR | Thermoplastic Polyurethane (Rubber) = TPU |
| TPV | Thermoplastic Vulcanizate |
| TPX | Polymethyl Pentene. Copolymer |
| Transtactic Polymer | Tactic polymer in which the main-chain double bonds of the configurational base units are entirely in the E configuration. |
| Tritactic Polymer | Tactic polymer that contains three sites of defined stereoisomerism in the main chain of the configurational base unit. |
| TS | Thermoset |
| TVO | Thermoplastic Vulcanites |
| TYS | Tensile Yield Strength |
| UF | Urea Formaldehyde |
| UHMW | Ultra High Molecular Weight (Often Applied to Polyethylene) |
| UHMWPE | Ultra High Molecular Weight PE |
| UL | Underwriters Laboratory |
| ULDPE | Ultra Low Density Polyethylene |
| Uniform Polymer | Polymer composed of molecules uniform with respect to relative molecular mass and constitution |
| UP | Unsaturated Polyester (Thermoset) |
| UPE | Unsaturated Polyester. Thermoset |
| UTS | Ultimate Tensile Strength |
| UV | Ultraviolet |
| VA | Vinyl Acetate |
| VAE | Vinyl Acetate Ethylene |
| VC | Vinyl Chloride = VCM |
| VCE | Poly(Vinyl Chloride-Ethylene) |
| VCEMA | Poly(Vinyl Chloride-Ethylene-Methyl Acrylate) |
| VCM | Vinyl Chloride Monomer = VC |
| 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) |
| Vinyl | A polymer made by polymerizing monomers that contain the vinyl group, e.g., poly(vinyl pyrrolidinone) (PVP), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), EVA, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon™). |
| Viscoelasticity | Time-dependent response of a liquid or solid subjected to stress or strain. |
| VLDPE | Very Low Density Polyethylene |
| Wetting | Process by which an interface between a solid and a gas is replaced by an interface between the same solid and a liquid. |
| WPE | Weight per Epoxide (also called EEW) |
| XLPE | Cross-linked Polyethylene |
TR
ENG