PLASTICS IDENTIFICATION FLOW CHART

PLASTIC MATERIALS

PRESS A HEATED METAL TIP AGAINST THE

SOFTENS DOES NOT SOFTEN
THERMOPLASTIC SAMPLE, DOES IT GO SOFT? THERMOSETTING

BURN A SMALL SECTION OF THIS SAMPLE

FLOATS DROP A SMALL SAMPLE SINKS
IN WATER SELF-EXTINGUISHING CONTINUES TO BURN

MATERIAL
OBSERVATIONS
POLYOLEFINS ALL OTHERS COLOUR OF
FLAME

BURN A SMALL ODOUR

SECTION OF THIS SAMPLE
BURN A SMALL OTHER
SECTION OF THIS SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS
NO FLAMES CONTINUES
TO BURN
SELF-EXTINGUISHING
DRIPS
DRIPS
DRIPS
NO YES NO
YES NO YES

MATERIAL NYLON Poly-

Sulphone
PPE
OBSERVATION

COLOUR OF YELLOW
WITHGREEN
FLAME EDGES

ODOUR

SPEED OF
BURNING

OTHER BLACK
FEATURES SMOKE
WITH
SOOT