Prints, data sheets and molded parts use short codes like PA66-GF30, PP-T20 or >PBT-GF30 FR(17)<. Paste one below to see what it means in plain English, then get it quoted.
How material codes work
Most codes follow ISO 1043 and are built the same way: base resin, a dash, then filler letters and percent, then optional additives. A plus sign joins two resins in a blend. On molded parts the code sits between > and <.
Common base resin codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PA6, PA66, PA12 | Nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 12 |
| PBT, PET | Polyester |
| PC | Polycarbonate |
| ABS, ASA, SAN | Styrenic copolymers |
| PS, PS-HI (HIPS) | Polystyrene, high-impact polystyrene |
| PP-H, PP-B, PP-R | Polypropylene homopolymer, impact (block) copolymer, random copolymer |
| PE-HD, PE-LD, PE-LLD | High-, low- and linear low-density polyethylene |
| POM-H, POM-C | Acetal homopolymer, copolymer |
| PMMA | Acrylic |
| PPS, PEEK, PEI, PSU | High-temperature resins |
| PC+ABS, PC+PBT | Blends (the plus sign means blend) |
| TPE-U, TPE-V, TPE-S | TPU, TPV, styrenic TPE |
Filler codes
The first letter is the filler material and the second is its form. GF is glass fiber, CF is carbon fiber, MD is mineral powder, GB is glass beads.
| Material letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| G | Glass |
| C | Carbon |
| M | Mineral |
| T | Talc |
| K | Calcium carbonate |
| P | Mica |
| Q | Silica |
| R | Aramid |
| D | Alumina trihydrate |
| E | Clay |
| W | Wood |
| X | Not specified |
| Form letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| F | Fiber |
| B | Beads or spheres |
| D | Powder |
| S | Flakes |
| H | Whiskers |
| G | Ground |
| X | Not specified |
Common additive and color shorthand
| Code | Usually means |
|---|---|
| FR(nn) | Flame retardant; the number is the flame-retardant type (ISO 1043-4) |
| HS | Heat stabilized |
| UV | UV stabilized |
| IM, HI, ST | Impact modified, high impact, super tough |
| L, LUB | Lubricated |
| HR | Hydrolysis resistant |
| NC, BK, WT | Natural, black, white |
| HF | High flow |
| ESD, AS | Static dissipative, antistatic |
| PCR, PIR | Post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content |
Shorthand varies by supplier. The decoder covers the common cases; anything it cannot read, a polymer chemist can.
Common questions
What does GF30 mean?
30% glass fiber by weight. G is the filler material (glass), F is its form (fiber), and the number is the weight percent. So PA66-GF30 is nylon 66 with 30% glass fiber.
What does PP-T20 mean?
Polypropylene with 20% talc. Strictly, ISO writes talc powder as TD20, but T20 is common shorthand on prints and data sheets.
What do the > < marks on a molded part mean?
They frame a material marking molded into the part for identification and recycling, following ISO 11469 and SAE J1344. For example, >PBT-GF30< means 30% glass-filled PBT.
What is an ASTM D4000 line callout?
A spec code like PA0121G33 used on prints. The letters are the resin, the four digits are the group, class and grade from that resin’s ASTM standard, and a letter and number such as G33 give the filler and its percent. Later letters add property requirements.
Are codes like HS and BK standard?
No. Shorthand like HS, BK or HF varies between suppliers. The base resin and filler codes follow ISO 1043; the rest is common practice. When in doubt, check the data sheet or send it to us.