IDENTIFYING PLASTICS
Here is a preliminary guide that will help you to identify many of the basic types of plastics using simple techniques and readily
available tools. Naturally, these tests should be used only for tentative identification because some complex plastic compounds require
a rigorous analysis for identification.
To initially determine whether a material is thermoset or thermoplastic, heat a stirring rod (to about 260°C). If the material softens it is
a thermoplastic; if not, it is probably a thermoset.
Next, hold the sample to the edge of a flame until it ignites. (Hold in the flame for about 10 seconds if no flame is produced immediately). If the
material burns, note the nature of the smoke, the presence of soot in the air and, if while burning, the sample drips. Next, extinguish the flame
and cautiously smell the fumes. (In identifying the odour, a known sample is most helpful for comparison). Finally, check your observations
against the known characteristics of each plastic given below. Once you have made a tentative identification, it is usually desirable to make one
additional test to confirm the results of the original identification. Remember additives may affect results; for example, flame retardants would
mask the polymer's normal burning characteristics.
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
THERMOPLASTI
CS
ABS Acrid Yellow, No Acrid Yellow, Yes Slow Black smoke
blue edges blue edges with soot in air
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
ACETALS Formaldehyde Blue, Yes Slow
no smoke
ACRYLICS Fruity Blue, No (cast) Slow Flame may
yellow tip Yes spurt
(molded) if rubber
modified
CELLULOSICS
ACETATE Vinegar Yellow No Vinegar Yellow Yes Slow Flame may
with spark
sparks
ACETATE Rancid butter Blue, Yes Slow Flame may
BUTYRATE yellow tip spark
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
ETHYL Burnt sugar Yellow, Yes Rapid
CELLULOSE blue edges
NITRATE Camphor White No Rapid
PROPIONATE Burnt sugar Blue, Yes Rapid
yellow tip
CHLORINATED Green, No Black smoke
POLYETHER yellow tip with soot in air
FLUOROCARBON
S
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
FEP Faint odour Deforms;
burnt hair no
combustion,
but drips
PRTFE Faint odour Deforms;
burnt hair does not
drip
CTFE Faint odour Deforms;
acetic acid no
combustion,
but drips
PVF Acidic Deforms
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
NYLONS
TYPE 6 Burnt wool Blue, Slow
yellow tip
TYPE 6/6 Burnt wool Blue, Yes Slow More rigid
or hair yellow tip than Type 6
nylon
PHENOXIES Acidic Yellow No Acrid Yellow Yes Slow Black smoke
with soot in air
POLYCARBONAT Faint, sweet Orange Yes Acrid Yellow Yes Slow Black smoke
ES aromatic ester with soot in air
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
POLYETHYLENE Paraffin Blue, Yes Slow Floats in water
S yellow tip
OXIDES (PPO) Phenol Yellow- No Yel<br>low Yes Slow Flame spurts;
orange very difficult
to ignite
MODIFIED Phenol Yellow- No Yellow Yes Slow Flame spurts;
GRADE orange difficult to
ignite
soot in air
POLYIMIDES Chars;
material very
rigid
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
POLYPROPYLEN Acrid Yellow Yellow Sweet Blue, Yes Slow Floats in
ES yellow tip water; more
difficult to
scratch than
polyethylene
POLYSTYRENES Illuminating Yellow Yes Rapid Dense black
Gas smoke with
soot in air
POLYSULFONES Orange Orange Black smoke
POLYURETHANE Yellow No Slow Black smoke
S
POLYBLENDS
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
ABS/POLYCARBO Yellow No Black smoke
NATE
ABS/PVC Acrid Yellow, No Black smoke
blue edges with soot in air
PVC/ACRYLIC Fruity Blue, No
yellow tip
THERMOSETS
ALKYDS
EPOXIES Phenol Black smoke No Slow Black smoke
Materials No Flame Burns, but Colour of Drips Continues to Colour of Drips Speed of Remarks
Odour extinguishes flame burn flame burning
after removal
of flame
source odour
with soot in air
MELAMINES Formaldehyde Phenol & Yellow No May crack
and phenoic wood or
papered
POLYESTERS Yellow No Yellow, blue No Slow Cracks and
edges breaks
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