5951-1741-1 29-Mar-2005

Plastic Part Marking Algorithm

Owner Brian Larin

Responsible Group Central Direct Procurement

Document Identifier 5951-1741-1

Revision and Date J1, 29-Mar-2005

Abstract This document provides a standard for the marking of HP's plastic
parts and products, to be used for subsequent decision-making
during recycling, reuse, or disposal.
Applicability The requirements of this standard apply to all plastic parts and
products specified by or purchased for HP that are manufactured
after 01-Jan-2005. Management of these requirements is mandatory
for persons specifying plastic parts and products for use by HP.
Status APPROVED

© Copyright 2003-2005 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.

This is an uncontrolled copy when in printed form.

Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Scope
3 Marking requirements
3.1 Part weight
3.2 Character size
3.3 Marking legibility
3.4 Marking method
3.5 Marking location
4 Marking identification symbols
4.1 Material identification for basic polymers
4.1.1 Polymer blends
4.1.2 Laminates
4.2 Ignition-resistant (flame retardant) materials
4.3 Filler and Reinforced Composition Marking
4.3.1 Marking for Additional materials
4.4 Plasticizers
4.4.1 Supplemental Requirements for plasticizers
5 Supplemental Identification
5.1 Commercial blends
5.2 Indication of special characteristics
6 References

1 Introduction
This document provides the requirements for marking HP's plastic parts and products. This marking will
be used during subsequent recycling, reuse, or disposal.

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2 Scope
The requirements of this standard apply to all molded plastic parts used in products specified by or
purchased for HP that are manufactured after 01-Jan-2005. This standard does not apply to plastic
packaging materials.
This standard specifies uniform requirements for physically marking products and parts made of
polymeric (plastic) materials according to internationally recognized standards:
• HP plastic parts and products are to be physically marked in accordance with this standard so
they can be identified, separated, and processed for recycling.
• The abbreviated terms included in this standard are consistent with the ISO/DIS 11469 Plastics -
Generic Identification and Marking of Plastic Products and ISO-1043-1 through ISO-1043-4
Plastics - Symbols standards and specify the requirements for generic marking of polymers.

3 Marking requirements
If the part size, geometry, and cosmetic and effective function allow, all plastic parts and products must
be physically marked with the appropriate symbols or codes (identified in the tables within this standard)
to designate the following:
• Basic polymer in the part (Section 4.1)
• Flame retardant material used (Section 4.2)
• Filler or reinforcement used to fabricate the part (Section 4.3)
• Plasticizer used (Section 4.4)
Section 5.0 identifies additional coding and information.
The requirements to be followed used when marking plastic parts and products are included in the
following subsections.

3.1 Part weight

All parts that weigh 25 grams or more must be physically marked, if adequate space is available and the
functionality of the part is not compromised. If adequate space is not available, all suppliers, including
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract manufacturers (CMs), and original design
manufacturers (ODMs), must notify HP in writing to determine the recycling impact of the unmarked part.
All manufacturers, including OEMs, CMs, and ODMs, are strongly encouraged to include physical
marking, where practical, on all parts weighting less than 25 grams. Where physical marking on parts
weighing less than 25 grams is required, this requirement will be noted on applicable drawings or
procurement documents.

3.2 Character size

The physical marking code location, size, and process must be specified on the applicable part drawing.
The marking process must be compatible with the recycling process. Marking should be placed where it is
readily visible to product disassemblers. The preferred character size is 3mm to 5 mm high and with a
profile depth of approximately 0.2 mm. On smaller parts where 3mm to 5 mm text is not possible, smaller
text can be used. The materials identification text must be no smaller than the part number or identifier
that is engraved on the part. If a part number or identifier is present on the part, there should also be
adequate room for the plastic (polymer) identification symbols.

3.3 Marking legibility

Physical marking of plastic parts and products must remain legible during the entire part life. On molded
plastic parts and products, integrally molded-in marking is preferred, with the provision for future

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revisions. Production Change Orders should include instructions for updating the marking code whenever
material is changed.

3.4 Marking method

The physical marking must be by injection molding, embossing melt imprint, or other legible marking in
the surface of the polymer.

3.5 Marking location

Plastic products must be physically marked on an interior surface with the appropriate abbreviated terms.

4 Marking identification symbols

The material identification is to be marked between two angle brackets, as follows:

>Material ID<
For example: >ABS<
Only capital letters must be used for symbols and abbreviated terms.

4.1 Material identification for basic polymers

The symbols identified in Tables 1 and 2 are the material identification abbreviations for physically
identifying plastic pasts.

Table 1: Symbols for Homopolymeric Materials

Symbol Material Symbol Material
CA Celluloseacetate PET Poly(ethyleneterephthalate)
CAB Celluloseacetatebutyrate PEUR Polyetherurathane
CAP Celluloseacetatepropionat PF Phenol-formaldehyde
CF Cresol-formaldehyde PFA Perfluoroalkoxlalkanepolymer
CMC Carboxymethylcellulose PI Polyimide
CN Cellulosenitrate PIB Polyisobutylene
CP Cellulosepropionate PIR Polyisocyanurate
CTA Cellulosetriacetate PMI Polymethacylimide
EC Ethylcellulose PMMA Poly(methylmethacrylate)
EP Epoxide;Epoxy PMS Poly-(α-methylstyrene)
FF Furan-formaldehyde POM Poly(oxymethylene);Polyformadehyde
MC Methylcellulose PP Polypropylene
MF Melamine-formaldehyde PPE Poly(phenyleneEther)
PA Polyamide PPS Poly(phenylenesulfide)
PAEK Polyacyetherketone PPSU Poly(phenylenesulfone)
PAI Polyamidimide PS Polystyrene

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Table 1: Symbols for Homopolymeric Materials

Symbol Material Symbol Material
PAN Polyacrylonitrile PS-HI Highimpactmodifiedpolystyrene
PB Polybutene PSU Polysulfone
PBAK Poly(butylacylate) PTFE Polytetrafluorouethylene
PBT Poly(butyleneterephthalate) PUR Polyurethane
PC Polycarbonate PVAC Poly(vinylacetate)
PCTFE Polychlorotrifluoroethylene PVAL Poly(vinylalcohol)
PDAP Poly(diallylphthalate) PVB Poly(vinylbutyral)
PE Polyethylene PVC Poly(vinylchloride)
PEEK Polyetheretherketone PVDC Poly(viynlidenechloride)
PEEKK Polyehtheretherketoneketone PVDF Poly(vinylidenefluoride)
PEEST Polyesterester PVF Poly(vinylfluoride)
PEI Polyetherimide PVFM Poly(vinylformal)
PEK Polyetherketone PVK Poly(vinylcarbazole)
PEKEKK Polyetherketoneetherketoneketone PVP Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)
PEKK Polyetherketoneketone SI Silicone
PEOX Poly(ethyleneoxide) UF Urea-formaldehyde
PES Polyethersulfone UP Unsaturatedpolyester

Table 2: Symbols For Copolymeric Materials

Symbol Material Symbol Material
ABAK Acrylonitrile-butadiene-acrylate PAR Polyarylate
ABS Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene PEBA Poly(etherblockamide)
ACS Acrylonitrile- PESTUR Polyesterurethane
chlorinatedpolyethylene-styrene
[1]AEPD Acrylonitrile/ethylene-propylene- PFEP Perfluoro(ethylene-propylene)
S diene/styrene
AMMA Acrylonitrile-methylmethacrylate PMMI Poly(N-methylmethylacylimide)
ASA Acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate PMP Poly(4-methylpent-1-ene)
CFS Casein-formaldehyde SAN Styrene-acrylonitrile
EEAK Ethylene-ethylacrylate SB Styrene-butadiene
EMA Ethylene-methacrylicacid SMAH Styrene-maleicanhydride
E/P Ethylene-propylene SMS Styrene-α-methylstyrene
ETFE Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene VCE Vinylchloride-ethylene

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Table 2: Symbols For Copolymeric Materials

Symbol Material Symbol Material
EVAC Ethylene-vinylacetate VCEMAK Vinylchloride-ethylene-methylacrylate
EVOH Ethylene-vinylalcohol VCEVAC Vinylchloride-ethylene-vinylacetate
LCP Liquid-crystalpolymer VCMAK Vinylchloride-methylacrylate
MBS Methacrylate-butadiene-styrene VCMMA Vinylchloride-methylmethacrylate
MMABS Methylmethacrylate-acrylonitrile- VCOAK Vinylchloride-octylacrylate
butadiene-styrene
MPF Melamine-phenol-formadehyde VCVAC Vinylchloride-vinylacetate
VCVDC Vinylchloride-vinylidenechlodire
[1] AEPDS was EDPM

4.1.1 Polymer blends

Polymer blends or alloys must be labeled with the appropriate abbreviated terms for the component
polymers, separated by a plus (+) sign. There should be no spaces before or after the plus sign.
For example: >PC+ABS< or >PVC+ABS+SAN<
Section 6.1 identifies codes to be used to identify commercial blends.
4.1.2 Laminates
Laminates must be physically marked with the appropriate abbreviated terms for the component
polymers, separated by a comma. The primary visible material is identified first and the main
component, by weight, is identified with an underline.
For example: >PVC,PUR,ABS<

4.2 Ignition-resistant (flame retardant) materials

The flame retardant code must be included after the polymeric abbreviation. The term FR, in capital
letters without spaces, is also followed by a two-digit code number that states the type of FR material
used. The two-digit code must be enclosed in parentheses.
For example: >PC FR(52)<
All plastics containing flame retardants that have been intentionally added or that exceed 1% by weight
must include the flame-retardant code.
Table 3 identifies flame retardant codes.

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Table 3: Code numbers for flame retardants

Code numbers are grouped according to the chemical composition of the flame retardant.
HALOGONATED COMPOUNDS

10 aliphatic/alicyclic chlorinated compounds

11 aliphatic/alicyclic chlorinated compounds in combination with antimony compounds
12 aromatic chlorinated compounds
13 aromatic chlorinated compounds in combination with antimony compounds
14 aliphatic/alicyclic brominated compounds
15 aliphatic/alicyclic brominated compounds in combination with antimony compounds
16 aromatic brominated compounds (excluding brominated diphenyl ether and
biphenyls)
17 aromatic brominated compounds (excluding brominated diphenyl ether and
biphenyls)
in combination with antimony compounds
18 polybrominated diphenyl ether
19 polybrominated diphenyl ether in combination with antimony compounds
20 polybrominated biphenyls
21 polybrominated biphenyls in combination with antimony compounds
22 aliphatic/alicyclic chlorinated and brominated compounds
23, 24 not allocated
25 aliphatic fluorinated compounds
26 to 29 not allocated
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
30 nitrogen compounds (confined to melamine, melamine cyanurate, urea)
31 to 39 not allocated
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
40 Halogen-free organic phosphorus compounds
41 Chlorinated organic phosphorus compounds
42 Brominated organic phosphorus compounds
43 to 49 Not allocated
INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
50 ammonium orthophosphates
51 ammonium polyphosphates
52 red phosphorus
53 to 59 not allocated
METAL OXIDES, METAL HYDROXIDES, METAL SALTS
60 aluminum hydroxide
61 magnesium hydroxide
62 antimony (III) oxide
63 alkali-metal antimonate
64 magnesium/calcium carbonate hydrate
65 to 69 not allocated
BORON AND ZINC COMPOUNDS
70 inorganic boron compounds

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Table 3: Code numbers for flame retardants

71 organic boron compounds
72 zinc borate
73 organic zinc borate
74 not allocated
SILICA COMPOUNDS
75 inorganic silica compounds
76 organic silica compounds
77 to 79 not allocated
OTHERS
80 graphite
81 to 89 not allocated
90 to 99 not allocated

4.3 Filler and reinforced composition marking

Additional information on filled or reinforced compositions must be marked. The algorithm for marking
filler and reinforced composition is indicated in the following sections.
Compositions with a single filler or reinforcing material must include the abbreviated term for the polymer
followed by a dash, then the material symbol followed by the form/structure symbol of the additive,
followed by the filler’s percentage by mass.
For example: a polypropylene containing 30% mineral powder is indicated as follows: >PP-MD30<

Compositions with a mixture of fillers or reinforcing materials must include the filler’s indicator and
percentage within parentheses (curved brackets).
For example, a polyamide 66 containing a mixture of 15% mineral powder and 25% glass fiber is
indicated as follows: >PA66-(GF25+MD15)<
There must be no space before or after the plus (+) sign.
Symbols for fillers and reinforcing materials are identified in Table 4.

Table 4: Symbols for Fillers And Reinforcing Materials

Symbol Material [1] Symbol Form/Structure
B Boron B Beads, spheres, balls
C Carbon C Chips, cuttings
D Alumina trihydrate D Fines, powders
E Clay F Fiber, fibre
G Glass G Ground
K Calcium carbonate H Whisker
L Cellulose K Knitted fabric

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M Mineral: metal [2] L Layer

N Natural organic M Mat (thick)
(cotton, sisal: hemp:
flax: and so forth.)
P Mica N Non-woven (fabric, thin)
Q Silica P Paper
R Aramid R Roving
S Synthetic organic
(finely divided PTFE:
polyimides or
thermoset resins)
T Talcum S Flake
W Wood T Twisted or braided fabric, cord
X Not specified V Veneer
Z Others (not included W Woven fabric
on this list)
X Not specified
Y Yarn
Z Others, not included on this list
[1] The materials may be further defined; for example by their chemical symbols or by
additional symbols defined in the relevant International Standard.
[2] In the case of metals (M), the type of metal must be indicated by its chemical symbol.

4.3.1 Marking for additional materials

Additional information combining more data, such as flame retardants, fillers, and resin characteristics,
must be supplied, based upon the appropriate current material specification.
For example, >PA11G30< describes a material composition of PA= Polyamide, 11= a specific nylon 11
as outlined in Table 1, and G30, which is glass reinforced at 30%.
For example, A nylon 6, 30% GF with red phosphorus flame retardant would be marked as:
>PA6 GF30 FR(52)<

4.4 Plasticizers
Compositions containing plasticizers must be physically marked with the abbreviated term for the
polymer, followed by a hyphen, then the symbol "P" followed by the abbreviated term of the plasticizer in
parentheses, as described in ISO 1043-3.
For example, a PVC containing dibutyl phthalate is marked: >PVC-P(DBP)<
Supplemental requirements for plasticizers are shown in Table 5.
4.4.1 Supplemental requirements for plasticizers
Table 5 provides uniform symbols for components relating to plasticizers, to form abbreviated terms. It
includes typical abbreviated terms that have come into established use.
Requirements:

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1. The first appearance of an abbreviated term in a text must be enclosed in parentheses and shall be
preceded by the chemical name written in full. For example, Alkysulfonic acid ester (ASE).
2. Mixtures of plasticizers are not considered.
3. Unless otherwise indicated, the alkyl groups are n-alkyl groups and phthalates are esters of o-phthalic
acid.
4. No symbol is used in the abbreviated terms to indicate normal (n-) linear alcohols. For branched (iso)
alcohols, the additional symbol l is used with one exception: in view of the worldwide usage of the
symbol O for 2-ethylhexyl (for example in DOA and DOP), this practice is observed in this part of ISO
1043 and the n-octyl group is designated NO (as in DNOP). Because of this dual usage, the
application of the rule specified in Requirement 1 is most important.
5. The symbol l designates iso-branched groups (for example, DIOP). However, DTDP is sometimes
used instead of DITDP because di-n-tridecyl phthalate is not a plasticizer: when DTDP is used, the
application of the rule specified in 1 (one) is most important.
6. For plasticizers based on di-esters of the same alcohol, the first symbol of the abbreviated term is D.
7. The letter P may be used in place of F for "phosphate" in abbreviated terms for plasticizers.
8. Several plasticizers having "iso" names indicating branched groups may consist of several isomers.
For this reason, no single IUPAC name can describe the detailed chemical composition of each of
these plasticizers.
9. Some plasticizers consisting of esters of more than one alcohol are known by the combined number
and letter code, for example, 711A is an alternative common name for heptyl nonyl undecyl adipate
(HNUA). The first digit represents the number of carbon atoms in the shortest alkyl group and the
second and third digits represent that of the longest alkyl group in the plasticizer: thus 7 denotes
heptyl and 11 denotes undecyl. The letter at the end of the code is either A, which denotes adipate, or
P, which denotes phthalate.

Table 5: Plasticizers
Abbreviated Term Common name IUPAC* equivalent CAS-RN**
ASE Alkysulfonic acid ester Alkysulfonates or not known
Alkyl alkanesulfonates
BAR butylo- Butyl ®-12- 140-04-5
acetylricinoleate acetoxyoleate
BBP Benzyl butyl phthalate same 85-68-7
BCHP Butyl cyclohexl same 84-64-0
phthalat
BNP Butyl nonyl phthalate same not known
BOA Benzyl octyladipate benzyl2-ethyhexyl 3089-55-2
adipate
BOP Butyl octyl phthalate butyl2-ethylhexyl 85-69-8
phthalate
BST Butyl stearate same 123-95-5
DBA Dibutyl adipate same 105-99-7
BEP di-(2-butoxyethyl) bis(2-butoxyethyl) 117-83-9
phthalate phthalate
DBF dibutyl fumarate same 105-75-9
DBM dibutyl maleate same 105-76-0

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Table 5: Plasticizers
Abbreviated Term Common name IUPAC* equivalent CAS-RN**
DBP dibutyl phthalate same 84-74-2
DBS dibutyl sebacate same 109-43-3
DBZ dibutyl azelate same 2917-73-9
DCHP dicyclohexyl phthalate same 84-61-7
DCP dicapryl phthalate bis(1-methylheptyl) 131-15-7
phthalate
DDP didecyl phthalate same 84-77-5
DEGDB diethylene glycol oxydiethylene 120-55-8
dibenzoate dibenzoate
DEP diethyl phthalate same 84-66-2
DHP diheptyl phthalate same 3648-21-3
DHXP dihexyl phthalate same 84-75-3
DIBA diisobutyl adipate same 141-04-8
DIBM diisobutyl maleate same 14234-82-3
DIBP diisobutyl phthalate same 84-69-5
DIDA diisobutyl adipate see 8 27178-16-1
DIDP diisodecyl phthalate see 8 26761-40-0
DIHP diisoheptyl phthalate as above 41451-28-9
DIHXP diisohexyl phthalate same 71850-09-4
DINA diisononyl adipate see 8 33703-08-1
DINP diisononyl phthalate see 8 28553-12-0
DIOA diisooctyl adipate see 8 1330-86-5
DIOM diisooctyl maleate see 8 1330-76-3
DIOP diisooctyl phthalate see 8 27554-26-3
DIOS diisooctyl sebacate see 8 27214-90-0
DIOZ diisooctyl azelate see 8 26544-17-2
DIPP diisooctyl phthalate same 605-50-5
DMEP di-(2-methyloxyethyl) bis(2-methoxyethyl) 117-82-8
phthalate phthalate
DMP dimethyl phthalate same 131-11-3
DMS dimethyl sebacate same 106-79-6
DNF dinonyl fumarate same 2787-63-5
DMN dinonyl maleate same 2787-64-6
DNOP di-n-octyl phthalate dioctyl phthalate 117-84-0

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Table 5: Plasticizers
Abbreviated Term Common name IUPAC* equivalent CAS-RN**
DNP dinonyl phthalate same 14103-61-8
DNS dinonyl sebacate same 4121-16-8
DOA dioctyl3) adipate bis(2-ethylhexyl)3) 103-23-1
adipate
DOIP dioctyl isophthalate bis(2-ethylhexyl) 137-89-3
isophthalate
DOP dioctyl phthalate bis(2-ethylhexyl) 117-81-7
phthalate
DOS dioctyl sebacate bis(2-ethylhexyl) 122-62-3
sebacate
DOTP dioctyl terephthalate bis(2-ethylhexyl) 6422-86-2
terephthalate
DOZ dioctyl azelate bis(2-ethylhexyl) 2064-80-4
azelate
DPCF diphenyl cresyl diphenyl x-tolyl 26444-49-5
phosphate orthophosphate where
x demotes o, m, p or
mixture
DPGDB di-x--propylene glycol not possible not known
dibenzoate
DPOF diphenyl octyl 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl 1241-94-7
phosphate orthophosphate or
octyl diphenyl
orthophosphate
DPP diphenyl phthalate same 84-62-8
DTDP diisotridecyl phthalate see 8 27253-26-5
(see note X)
DUP diundecyl phthalate same 3648-20-2
ELO epoxidized linseed oil not possible 8016-11-3
ESO epoxidized soya bean not possible 8013-07-8
oil
GTA glycerol triacetate same 102-76-1
HNUA heptyl nonyl undecyl not possible Not known
adipate (=711A)
HNUP heptyl nonyl undecyl not possible 68515-42-4
phthalate (=711P)
HXODA heptyl octyl decyl not possible not known
adipate (=610A)
HXODP heptyl octyl decyl not possible 68515-51-5

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Table 5: Plasticizers
Abbreviated Term Common name IUPAC* equivalent CAS-RN**
phthalate (=610P)
NUA nonyl undecyl adipate not possible not known
(=911A)
NUP nonyl undecyl not possible not known
phthalate (=911P)
ODA octyl decyl adipate decyl octyl adipate 110-29-2
ODP octyl decyl phthalate decyl octyl phthalate 68515-52-6
ODTM n-octyl decyl decyl octyl hydrogen not known
trimellitate Benzene1,2,4-
tricarboxylate
PO paraffin oil not possible 8012-95-1
PPA poly(propylene same not known
adipate)
PPS poly(propylene not possible not known
sebacate)
SOA sucrose octa-acetate sucrose octaacetate 126-14-7
TBAC tributyl o-acetylcitrate same 77-90-7
TBEP tri-(2-butoxyethyl) tris(2-butoxyethyl) 78-51-3
phosphate orthophosphate
TBP tributyl phosphate tributyl 126-73-8
orthophosphate
TCEF trichloroethyl tris(2-chloroethyl) 6145-73-9
phosphate orthophosphate
TCF tricresyl phosphate tri-x-tolyl 1330-78-5
orthophosphate where
x denotes o, m, p or
mixture
TDBPP tri-(2,3-dibromopropyl) tris(2,3- 126-72-7
phosphate dibromopropyl)
orthophosphate
TDCPP tri-(2,3-dichloropropyl) tris(2,3-dichloropropyl) 78-43-3
phosphate orthophosphate
TEAC triethyl o-acetylcitrate same 77-89-4
THFO tetrahydrofurfuryl same 5420-17-7
oleate
THTM triheptyl trimellitate triheptyl benzene- 1528-48-9
1,2,4-tricarboxylate
TIOTM triisooctyl trimellitate tris(6-methylheptyl) 27251-75-8
Benzene-1,2,4-

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Table 5: Plasticizers
Abbreviated Term Common name IUPAC* equivalent CAS-RN**
tricarboxylate
TOF trioctyl phosphate tris(2-ethylhexyl) 78-42-2
orthophosphate
TOPM tetraoctyl pyromellitate tetrakis(2-ethylhexyl) 3126-80-5
benzene-1,2,45-
tetracarboxylate

TOTM trioctyl trimelliate tris(2-ethylhexyl) benzene- 89-04-3

1,2,45-tetracarboxylate

TPP triphenyl phosphate triphenyl orthophosphate 115-86-6

TXF trixylyl phosphate tri-x,y-xylyl orthophosphate, 25155-23-1

where x and y denotes o,
m, p or mixture

* IUPAC is the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemicals.

** CAS-RN identifies the Chemical Abstracts Service - Registry Number

5 Supplemental identification
Additional identification marking, such as date code, country of origin, part model name, part version, ISO
supplemental part marking, and so forth, may be included on the part, upon Divisional discretion.
However, no additional information may replace the universal material marking code defined in this
standard.
To achieve maximum value from the plastic to be recycled, it is recommended that the HP part number,
along with the suffix to identify the supplier, be shown in the line below the material marking code. The
supplier suffix can be found in the appropriate HP material database; for example PIR, PSPEC,
microfiche, and so forth.
For example, to mark the 4093-0029 polycarbonate with 20% glass fiber supplied by company XYZ,
whose HP supplier code is #####, the marking would be:
>PC-GF20<
4903-0029 #####

5.1 Commercial blends

Table 6 includes marking information for commercial blends
Table 6: Commercial Blends Quick Reference
Symbol Material
ABS+PA Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene+polyamide
ABS+PC Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene+polycarbonate
ABS+PPSU Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene+polyphenylenesulfone
ABS+PTFE Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene+polytetrafluoroethylene
ABS+PVC Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene+poly(vinylchloride)
ABS+SMA Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene+styrenemaleicanhydride

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Table 6: Commercial Blends Quick Reference

Symbol Material
ABS+TPU Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene+thermoplasticpolyurethane
ASA+PC Acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate+polycarbonate
ASA+PMMA Acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate+poly(methylmethacrylate)
ASA+PVC Acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate+poly(vinylchloride)
PA Polyamide(amorphous)blend
PA+EMA Polyamide+ethylenemethacrylicacid(ionomer)
PA+PE Polyamide+polyethylene
PA+PPE Polyamide+poly(phenyleneether)
PA+RBR Polyamide+rubber
PA+SAN Polyamide+styrene-acrylonitrile
PBT+PET Poly(butyleneterephthalate)+poly(ethyleneterephthalate)
PBT+PPE Poly(butyleneterephthalate)+poly(phenyleneether)
PBT+RBR Poly(butyleneterephthalate)+rubber
PC+PBT Polycarbonate+Poly(butyleneterephthalate)
PC+PE Polycarbonate+polyethylene
PC+PET Polycarbonate+poly(ethyleneterephthalate)
PC+SMA Polycarbonate+styrenemaleicanhydride
PC+TPU Polycarbonate+thermoplasticpolyurethane
PET+PMMA Poly(ethyleneterephthalate)+poly(methylmethacrylate)
PET+PPSU Poly(ethyleneterephthalate)+polyphenylenesulfone
PET+RBR Poly(ethyleneterephthalate)+rubber
POM+PTFE Polyoxymethylene+polytetrafluoroethylene
POM+RBR Polyoxymethylene+rubber
PPE+IPS Poly(phenyleneether)+highimpactpolystyrene
PPS+PTFE Poly(phenylenesulfide)+polytetrafluoroethylene
PUR+PIR Polyurethane+polyisocyanurate
PVC+CPE Poly(vinylchloride)+chlorinatedpolyethylene
PVC+NBR Poly(vinylchloride)+nitrile-butadienerubber
PVC+PMMA Poly(vinylchloride)+poly(methylmethacrylate)
PVC+PUR Poly(vinylchloride)+polyurethane
PVC+PU Poly(vinylchloride)+polyurethane
SMA+IPS Styrenemaleicanhydride+highimpactpolystyrene

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5.2 Indication of special characteristics

The abbreviated terms from ISO 1043-1:1997(E) for basic polymers may be supplemented by up to four
symbols (identified in Table 7) to differentiate between or among modifications of the polymer, if desired.
The supplementary symbols shall be placed after the abbreviated term of the basic polymer, separated by
a hyphen, with no spacing before or after the hyphen. No symbol shall be placed in front of the
abbreviated term of the basic polymer.
For example, Polypropylene, block co polymer: >PP-B<

Table 7: Symbols for indication of special characteristics

Symbol Meaning Symbol Meaning
B Block O oriented
B Brominated P plasticized
C Chlorinated R raised
D Density R resol
E Elastomer S saturated
E expanded, expandable S sulfonated
F flexible T Temperature
(resistance)
F fluid T thermoplastic
H high T thermosetting
I impact T toughened
L linear U ultra
L low U unplasticized
M medium U unsaturated
M molecular V very
N normal W weight
N novolak X crosslinked;
crosslinkable

6 References
ASTM D1600, Standard Terminology Relating to Abbreviations and Codes for Terms
Related to Plastics.
ASTM D1972, Standard Practice for Generic Marking of Plastic Products
ISO 1043-1:1997 Plastics - Symbols. Part 1: Basic polymers and their special
characteristics.
ISO 1043-2:2000 Plastics- Symbols Part 2: Fillers and Reinforcing Materials.
ISO 1043-3:1996 Plastics-Symbols and abbreviated terms Part 3 Plasticizers
ISO 1043-4:1998 (E) Plastics-Symbols Part 4 Flame retardants.

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 5951-1741-1 29-Mar-2005

ISO/DIS 11469-2000. Plastics - Generic Identification and Marking of Plastic Products.

SAE J1344. Marking of Plastics Parts.

Revision History:

Revision, Brief Description of change

Date,
Change Number
Rev F Added Organic phosphorus compounds to Table 4.
26-Aug-2003
Rev G Changed threshold guideline for marking from 3 grams to 25 grams.
03-Aug-2004
Rev H Reformatted to new template. Text was re-ordered and edited for clarity. Examples
21-Feb-2005 were added where needed.
Rev J Correction in section 4.2 to change “1000 PPM (0.1%)” to “1% by weight.”
21-Mar-2005
DCN 02752
Rev J1 Minor revision change to correct Table 3, “Not Allocated” numbers for Organic
29-Mar-2005 Phosphorus Compounds.
DCN 02754

For information about this document, contact: Brian Larin

To request additional information or to provide comments, send e-mail to the Corporate Standards Group
at standards@hp.com.
This document is available on the Corporate Standards Group web site. For tracking purposes within the
Corporate Standards Group, part number EL-EN729-02 is used.

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