Please note:  All of the information below is based upon general characteristics of the tubing.  With that in mind, remember that additives, colors and other factors may change the reaction of the plastic.  TexLoc only offers this page as an added resource to help you determine what sort of plastic you may have in your possession.  It is not intended to be the sole source for making a complete determination of the sort of plastic you may be holding.  

 Be sure to change your printer to LANDSCAPE setting.  You will receive 2 pages that you can put together to work with.  

Plastic Materials

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Press a soldering iron or a hot rod (500°F/260°C) against the sample

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Thermoplastics Thermosets

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Burn a small corner of the sample

Floats

Drop a small sample
in water

Sinks

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Self Extinguishing

Continues to Burn

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Obser-
vations

 DAP Melamine
Formalde
Hyde		 Phenol
Formalde
Hyde		 Urea
Formalde
Hyde		 Polyester Silicone Epoxy Material

Obser-
vations
| | Color of Flame Yellow Yellow w/blue tip Yellow  Yellow w/green-
ish blue edge		 Yellow w/ blue edges Bright Yellow Yellow  Color of Flame

PP
PE

All 
Others

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 Odor Faint odor of Phenol Fish like Phenol Formalde-
Hyde		 Sour Cinnamon None Pungent Aminer Odor

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|		 Other Black Smoke  Swells and Cracks May or may not be self-exting.Swells and Cracks Black Smoke w/soot  Continues to burn Black Smoke Other
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Burn a small corner of the sample

Self-Extinguishing*

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| No Flames* Continues to burn* |
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| Drips Drips Drips
| Yes No

Yes

 No Yes No
Material

Obser-
vations		 PE PP FEP CTFE PTFE PVF ABS Acetal Cellulose
Acetate		 Cellulose
Acetate
Butyrate		 Cellulose
Propionate		 Poly
Styrene		 Poly
ester		 Cellulose
Nitrate		 Poly Urethane Nylon Poly Sulfone Poly
Carbonate		 PPO PVC Material

Obser-
vations

Color of Flame Blue w/ yellow
tip		 ___ ___ ___ ___ Blue w/ yellow edges Blue Yellow w/Sparks Yellow w/blue
tip		 Yellow Yellow Yellow with blue edges Pale
Yellow		 Yellow Blue w/ yellow
tip		 Orange Orange or Yellow Yellowish Orange Yellow w/green edges Color of Flame
Odor Paraffin Acrid or Diesel Fumes Burnt
Hair		 Acetic
Acid		 Burnt
Hair		 Acidic Acrid Formalde
hyde		 Vinegar Rancid 
Butter		 Burnt
Sugar		 Illumi-
nating gas or
marigold		 burning rubber Camphor Faint
Apple		 Burnt wool or hair Odor of sulfur Phenol Phenol Hydro-
chloric acid		 Odor
Speed of burning* Fast** Slow*
 ___ ___ ___ ___ Slow* Slow* Slow* Slow* Fast** Fast** Fast** Fast** Fast** Slow* Fast** Slow* Slow* Slow* Speed of burning
Other Melts &
Drips		 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ Black Smoke w/soot  No
Smoke		 Black Smoke w/ soot Some smoke w/soot Some
black
smoke		 Dense smoke w/soot Black smoke w/soot Sample burns completely Slight black smoke Froths Black smoke w/soot Black smoke w/soot Difficult to ignite smoke White
Smoke		 Other
*Speed of burning

 

* Slow = < 3 inches per minute

**Fast = > 3 inches per minute.
* No Flames PTFE, CTFE, PVF, FEP
*Continues to
Burn		 ABS, Acrylics, Acetals, Cellulose Acetate, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Cellulose Propionate,Cellulose Nitrate, Polystyrene, Polyurethane, Polyester
* Self
Extinguishing		 Nylon, Polycarbonate, PPO, Polysulfone, PVC