Identifying Common Automotive Thermoplastics

Most plastics used in vehicles today are thermoplastics, meaning they can be melted; therefore, they can be fusion welded with a nitrogen plastic welder. While there are many types of thermoplastics, only a few are commonly used in automobiles. The most widely used material is polypropylene, which makes up over 95% of bumper covers.

Other common thermoplastics you may encounter include ABS, polyethylene, nylon, and polycarbonate. This video will explore the typical applications of these materials and how to identify them.