The majority of plastics used in vehicle manufacturing are thermoplastics. Heated until they soften, they can be molded or welded. There are different types of thermoplastics, each having a specified temperature for welding operations.

	Code	Plastic
	ABS	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
	ABS/PC	Polymer alloy of above
	PA	Polyamide (Nylon)
	PBT	Polybutylene Terephtalate (POCAN)
	PC	Polycarbonate
	PE	Polyethylene
	PP	Polypropylene
	PP/EPDM	Polypropylene/ Ethylenediene Rubber
	PUR	Polyurethane (Not all PUR is weldable)
	PVC	Polyvinyl Chloride
	GRP/SMC	Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (Not weldable)

Recognition by test welding

If all other information is unavailable a test weld can be tried on the back of the component using a rod from the identified mixed bundle of plastic welding rods.

Method

1. Fit the appropriate welding nozzle for the selected welding rod to the hot-air tool.
   
   
2. Set the welding temperature on the rotary control according to the welding rod material to be employed in the test (see table under Main Welding). Allow the tool to attain the operating temperature.
   
   
3. Scrape the surface in the area of the test to remove any contamination.
   
   
4. Feed the welding rod through the nozzle and into contact with the surface of the component.
   
   
5. Following the technique described in Main Welding operations, weld 2cm of the test rod to the surface of the component.
   
   
6. Remove the welding tool from the rod and then cut the rod approximately 2cm from the component surface.
   
   
7. Allow the weld to cool and then try to pull the rod from the surface of the component. If it can be pulled from the component repeat the test with a different rod. If it stays firmly in place the component plastic has been positively identified.