Name Description
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