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Abbreviations of polymer names and guidelines for abbreviating polymer

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Article  in  Pure and Applied Chemistry · January 2014

DOI: 10.1515/pac-2012-1203

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 Pure Appl. Chem. 2014; 86(6): 1003–1015

IUPAC Recommendations

Jiasong He*, Jiazhong Chen, Karl-Heinz Hellwich, Michael Hess, Kazuyuki Horiea,

Richard G. Jones, Jaroslav Kahovec, Tatsuki Kitayama, Pavel Kratochvíl,
Stefano V. Meille, Itaru Mitaa, Claudio dos Santos, Michel Vert and Jiří Vohlídal

Abbreviations of polymer names and

guidelines for abbreviating polymer names
(IUPAC Recommendations 2014)
Abstract: This document provides some basic rules and guidelines regarding the use and creation of abbre-
viations for the names of polymers. An extended list of currently used abbreviations for polymers and poly-
meric materials is appended.

Keywords: abbreviations; IUPAC Polymer Division; polymer names.

DOI 10.1515/pac-2012-1203
Received December 13, 2012; accepted February 12, 2014

1 Introduction
Abbreviations are commonly used by authors of manuscripts to avoid repetition of lengthy polymer names, and
for the benefit of the editors and readers of scientific and professional journals and other written material. People
working within industry use a well-established ISO list of abbreviations of polymer names which contains more
than 100 entries (138 in ISO 1043-1:2011 [1]). In fact, mainly selected on the basis of the scale of production, the
ISO abbreviations are used in industry, standards, trade, and legislation. On the other hand, scientific and pro-
fessional journals in the polymer field deal with several hundreds of polymers annually, including many new
ones, some with complicated structures. Thus, IUPAC has also recognised the importance of abbreviations and
has published recommendations on the use of common abbreviations for polymer names [2–4].

Article note: IUPAC Polymer Division, Subcommittee on Polymer Terminology: see more details on p. 1007.

a
Deceased.
*Corresponding author: Jiasong He, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, e-mail: hejs@iccas.ac.cn
Jiazhong Chen: Du Pont, Wilmington, DE, USA
Karl-Heinz Hellwich: Postfach 10 07 31, 63007 Offenbach, Germany
Michael Hess: Universität Siegen, Siegen, Germany
Kazuyuki Horie and Itaru Mita: University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Richard G. Jones: University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, UK
Jaroslav Kahovec and Pavel Kratochvíl: Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic,
Praha, Czech Republic
Tatsuki Kitayama: Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
Stefano V. Meille: Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
Claudio dos Santos: Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil
Michel Vert: Université Montpellier 1, Montpellier, France
Jiří Vohlídal: Faculty of Sciences, Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Charles University, Praha, Czech Republic

© 2014 IUPAC & De Gruyter

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1004      J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names

It is impossible to derive a systematic and unique abbreviation from a polymer name while maintaining
a one-to-one correspondence that makes it self-explanatory. Ad hoc abbreviations of polymer names are pro-
duced in daily research activities and those presently in widespread use have been constructed for conveni-
ence and ready comprehension. Nonetheless, it is incontestable that any abbreviation has to be explained
whenever it occurs for the first time in a text [5]. However, in order to minimize any difference in the abbrevia-
tions used for the same polymer from one author to another, three fundamental rules and some elaborating
guidelines for creating an abbreviation from a polymer name are proposed in this document. Full respect
is accorded to existing and widely accepted abbreviations (see Appendix) so these rules and guidelines are
mainly directed towards abbreviating names of newly synthesized polymers as may in future be described in
scientific and professional journals.
In order to receive widespread acceptance, abbreviations of the names of polymers, especially those
of newly synthesized polymers, should be concise, clear, and distinguishable from abbreviations that are
already accepted [3]. They should use as few letters as possible, and the combinations of letters should come
from the initials of the names of the comprising monomers or constitutional units in the order in which they
appear in the name of the polymer. If possible, they should also evoke in readers a prompt and clear recogni-
tion of their full names. It should be noted here that an abbreviation is different from an acronym. An abbre-
viation is simply a shortened or contracted form of a word, words, or a phrase, which is only used written
but not spoken as such, whilst an acronym is made from a series of initial letters or parts of a group of words,
spoken as such and sometimes even forming a pronounceable word. Some abbreviations of polymer names
might therefore also be acronyms.
The commonly accepted and currently used abbreviations of polymer names that are listed in the Appen-
dix are referenced to the organization that approved and adopted them and the year of publication. In some
instances, variants are presented. This list, though extensive, is certainly not exhaustive.

2 Rules
Rule 1. Each abbreviation of a polymer name shall be fully defined the first time it appears in the text of
publications or other written material [5].
Rule 2. No abbreviations of polymer names shall be used in titles of publications [5].
Rule 3. Starting from either the source-based (Guideline 3.1), structure-based (Guideline 3.5), or traditional
polymer name (Guideline 3.5), an abbreviation shall be constructed by
–– retaining P from the prefix “poly”, except when abbreviating traditional names of polymers for
which it is not a component part, typically cellulose nitrate;
–– followed by capital letters and subsequent lowercase letters, if necessary, indicating the impor-
tant parts of the name being abbreviated and retaining, if deemed essential, parentheses, locants
(Guideline 3.3), connectives (Guideline 3.2), prefixes (Guideline 3.3), and chain configurational
indicators such as co, block, stat, R, S, etc. (Guidelines 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4).

Note: In scientific publications, the letter P at the beginning of the abbreviation is basic and should be applied
to all polymers irrespective of ISO adopting abbreviations for copolymers that do not use it. For example,
poly(butadiene-acrylonitrile) or poly(buta-1,3-diene-co-acrylonitrile) should be abbreviated to PBDAN,
instead of AB abbreviated from acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer by ISO.

Examples

poly(ethylene terephthalate)   PET

polyacrylonitrile   PAN
polyaniline   PANI or PAn
poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)   P(St-co-AN) or P(St-AN) or PStAN
poly[(butyl methacrylate)-co-styrene]  P(BMA-co-St) or P(BMA-St)

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 J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names      1005

poly[(R)-methyloxirane]   PR-MO
poly{(R)-[oxy(1-methylethylene)]}   PR-OME
poly{(S)-[oxy(1-methylethylene)]}   PS-OME
poly(hexa-1,3-diene)   PH1,3D
poly(hexa-1,5-diene)   PH1,5D

3 Guidelines

3.1

Where there might be ambiguity, one or more letters and locants of the full source-based name of the polymer
should be used to make the abbreviation distinguishable from those of other polymers (referred to within the
publication). Both consonants and vowels can be used without preference.

Examples

poly[(2-chlorophenyl)acetylene]   P2CPA
poly(1-chloro-2-phenylacetylene)   P1C2PA
poly[1-chloro-2-(2-chlorophenyl)acetylene]  P1C2CPA
poly(N-ethylaniline)   PNEANI
poly(2-ethylaniline)   P2EANI

3.2

For copolymers, the abbreviations for monomer names are given in parentheses after P and, if required
for the sake of clarity or to avoid ambiguity, a hyphen or hyphens and connectives should be used to
separate them. The use of parentheses is applied to all copolymers with the exception of block and graft
copolymers.
The italicized connectives and prefixes used in copolymer source-based names should be retained in the
abbreviations in their properly abbreviated form. These connectives and prefixes should also be in positions
that correspond to those in the full name of the copolymer. The use of approved short versions of the connec-
tives is strongly recommended: -a- for -alt-, -b- for -block-, and -g- for -graft-. Connectives such as -co-, -ran-,
-per-, and -stat- should be used without further abbreviation.

Examples

poly[styrene-stat-(methyl methacrylate)]   P(St-stat-MMA) or P(St-MMA)

polystyrene-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate)   PSt-g-PMMA
poly(buta-1,3-diene)-graft-poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene)   PBD-g-P(AN-co-St) or PBD-g-P(AN-St)
polystyrene-block-poly(buta-1,3-diene)   PSt-b-PBD
poly[styrene-alt-(maleic anhydride)]   P(St-a-MAH)
polystyrene-block-poly(buta-1,3-diene)-block-polystyrene  PSt-b-PBD-b-PSt
polystyrene-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate)   PSt-g-PMMA
poly[styrene-stat-(methyl methacrylate)]   P(St-stat-MMA), P(St-MMA)

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1006      J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names

3.3

Prefixes and connectives characterizing the constitution or assembly of polymer molecules, such as star-,
comb-, net- (network), ipn- (interpenetrating polymer network), and sipn- (semi-interpenetrating polymer
network), may be used as such. Some adjectives and nouns can be shortened to make prefixes, for example,
cyc- (cyclic), br- (branched), hybr- (hyperbranched), and compl- (polymer-polymer complex).

Examples

6-star-poly(ε-caprolactone)   6-star-Pε-CL or 6-star-PCL

polystyrene-comb-[polyacrylonitrile; poly(methyl methacrylate)]  PSt-comb-(PAN;PMMA)
net-poly[styrene-co-(1,3-divinylbenzene)]   net-P(St-co-1,3DVB) or net-P(St-1,3DVB)
net-poly[styrene-co-(1,4-divinylbenzene)]   net-P(St-co-1,4DVB) or net-P(St-1,4DVB)
[net-poly(buta-1,3-diene)]-ipn-(net-polystyrene)   (net-PBD)-ipn-(net-PSt)
net-poly(phenol-co-formaldehyde)   net-P(P-co-F) or P(P-F)
net-poly(diallyl phthalate)   net-PDAP or PDAP
br-poly[styrene-co-(1,3-divinylbenzene)]   br-P(St-co-1,3DVB) or br-P(St-1,3DVB)
hybr-poly[styrene-co-(1,3-divinylbenzene)]   hybr-P(St-co-1,3DVB) or hybr-P(St-1,3DVB)
polyaniline-compl-poly(4-vinylbenzenesulfonic acid)   PANI-compl-PVBSA

3.4

For polymers that differ in sequences of configurational base units [6], qualifiers such as atactic, isotactic,
and syndiotactic are abbreviated to the italic descriptors at, it, and st, respectively. For those based on chiral
monomers, stereodescriptors for enantiomers such as R or S and/or l or d are retained unchanged, as are
descriptors (RS) or dl used for racemates.

Examples

atactic polypropylene   at-PP

isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate)   it-PMMA
syndiotactic polystyrene   st-PSt
poly(dl-lactic acid) or poly[(RS)-lactic acid]  P(dl-LA) or P(RS-LA)
poly(l-lactic acid) or poly[(S)-lactic acid]   PLLA or P(S-LA)

3.5

Abbreviations of structure-based polymer names are based on the systematic names of the constitutional
repeating units (CRUs) instead of those of monomers in source-based names.

Note: The most commonly used names for polymers are source-based names in which the name of a monomer,
real or apparent, follows the prefix “poly”. However, IUPAC has introduced structure-based nomenclature as
an alternative naming system for polymers, which is based on a method of naming the sequence of constitu-
tional or structural units that represent the repeating pattern of the structure of a macromolecule. Examples
of abbreviations of source- and structure-based names of the same polymers are as follows:

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 J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names      1007

Polymer name      Abbreviation

 
Source-based   Structure-based Source-based  Structure-based

polyethene (traditional name: polyethylene)   poly(methylene)   PE   PM

polypropene   poly(1-methylethane-1,2-diyl)   PP   PME
poly(2-methylpropene), polyisobutene   poly(1,1-dimethylethane-1,2-diyl)  PMP, PIB   PDME
(traditional name: polyisobutylene)
poly(ethylene oxide)   poly(oxyethane-1,2-diyl)   PEO   POE
polystyrene   poly(1-phenylethane-1,2-diyl)   PSt   PPE
poly(1,4-phenylene oxide)   poly(oxy-1,4-phenylene)   PPO   POP
polystyrene-block-polyacrylonitrile   poly(1-phenylethane-1,2-diyl)-   PSt-b-PAN   PPE-PCE
poly(1-cyanoethane-1,2-diyl)

4 Membership of sponsoring bodies

Membership of the IUPAC Polymer Division Committee for the period 2012–2013 was as follows:
President: M. Buback (Germany); Vice President: G. T. Russell (New Zealand); Secretary: M. Hess
(Germany); Past President: C. K. Ober (USA); Titular Members: D. Dijkstra (Germany); R. C. Hiorns (France);
P. Kubisa (Poland); G. Moad (Australia); W. Mormann (Germany); D. W. Smith (USA); Associate Members: J.
He (China); R. G. Jones (UK); I. Lacik (Slovakia); M. Sawamoto (Japan); Y. Yagci (Turkey); M. Žigon (Slovenia);
National Representatives: V. P. Hoven (Thailand); M. A. Khan (Bangladesh); J.-S. Kim (Korea); M. Malin-
conico (Italy); N. Manolova (Bulgaria); S. Margel (Isreal); G. S. Mhinzi (Tanzania); A. M. Muzafarov (Russia);
M. I. Sarwar (Pakistan); J. Vohlídal (Czech Republic).
Membership of the Subcommittee on Polymer Terminology for the period 2009–2012 was as follows:
Chair: R. G. Jones (UK); Secretary: T. Kitayama (Japan), 2008–2009; R. C. Hiorns (France), 2010–2013;
Members: G. Allegra (Italy); M. Barón (Argentina); T. Chang (Korea); A. Fradet (France); J. He (China); K.-H.
Hellwich (Germany); M. Hess (Germany); P. Hodge (UK); K. Horie1 (Japan); A. D. Jenkins (UK); J.-I. Jin (Korea);
J. Kahovec (Czech Republic); P. Kratochvíl (Czech Republic); P. Kubisa (Poland); C. K. Luscombe (USA); S.
V. Meille (Italy); I. Mita1 (Japan); G. Moad (Australia); W. Mormann (Germany); T. Nakano (Japan); C. K.
Ober (USA); S. Penczek (Poland); G. T. Russell (New Zealand); C. dos Santos (Brazil); F. Schué (France); S.
Słomkowski (Poland); D. W. Smith (USA); R. F. T. Stepto (UK); N. Stingelin (UK); D. Tabak (Brazil); J.-P. Vairon
(France); M. Vert (France); J. Vohlídal (Czech Republic); M. G. Walter (USA); E. S. Wilks (USA).
Membership of the Subcommittee on Polymer Terminology during the preparation of this report (2006–
2013) was as follows: Chair: R. G. Jones (UK); Secretary: M. Hess (Germany), 2006–2007; T. Kitayama (Japan),
2008–2009; R. C. Hiorns (France), 2010–2013; Members: G. Allegra (Italy); M. Barón (Argentina); T. Chang
(Korea); C. dos Santos (Brazil); A. Fradet (France); K. Hatada (Japan); J. He (China); K.-H. Hellwich (Germany);
P. Hodge (UK); K. Horie1 (Japan); A. D. Jenkins (UK); J.-I. Jin (Korea); J. Kahovec (Czech Republic); P. Kratoch-
víl (Czech Republic); P. Kubisa (Poland); I. Meisel (Germany); W. V. Metanomski1 (USA); S. V. Meille (Italy);
I. Mita1 (Japan); G. Moad (Australia); W. Mormann (Germany); C. K. Ober (USA); S. Penczek (Poland); L. P.
Rebelo (Portugal); M. Rinaudo (France); I. Schopov (Bulgaria); M. Schubert (USA); F. Schué (France); V. P.
Shibaev (Russia); S. Słomkowski (Poland); R. F. T. Stepto (UK); D. Tabak (Brazil); J.-P. Vairon (France); M. Vert
(France); J. Vohlídal (Czech Republic); E. S. Wilks (USA); W. J. Work (USA).

Appendix: Extended list of currently used abbreviations for polymer

names
In the following table, the superscripted letters refer to the Notes and the numbers refer to the References.

1 Deceased.

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 Abbreviationa   IUPAC   IUPAC named   Name of polymer on which abbreviation is basede   Source
abbreviationb,c

AB     poly(acrylonitrile-stat-butadiene)   acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer   [1, 2]

ABA     poly(acrylonitrile-stat-butadiene-stat-acrylate)   acrylonitrile-butadiene-acrylate copolymer   [2]
ABAK     poly(acrylonitrile-stat-butadiene-stat-acrylate)   acrylonitrile-butadiene-acrylate copolymer   [1]
ABS     poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene)   acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer   [1, 2]
ACPES     polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(chlorinated polyethylene)-graft-polystyrene   acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene-styrene copolymer   [2]
ACS     polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(chlorinated polyethylene)-graft-polystyrene   acrylonitrile-(chlorinated polyethylene)-styrene copolymer   [1]
AEPDMS     polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(ethene-co-propene-co-diene)-graft-polystyrene  acrylonitrile-(ethene-propene-diene)-styrene copolymer   [2]
AEPDS     polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(ethene-co-propene-co-diene)-graft-polystyrene  acrylonitrile-(ethene-propene-diene)-styrene copolymer   [1]
AES     polyacrylonitrile-graft-polyethylene-graft-polystyrene   acrylonitrile-ethene-styrene copolymer   [2]
AMAB     polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate)-graft-polyacrylonitrile-   acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene   [2]
graft-polybutadiene copolymer
AMMA     polyacrylonitrile-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate)   acrylonitrile-(methyl methacrylate) copolymer, acrylonitrile-methyl   [1, 2]
methacrylate copolymer
ARP       aromatic polyester   [2]
ARP       thermoplastic polyester: copolyester [poly(aryl terephthalate)]   [2]
ASA     poly(acrylonitrile-stat-styrene-stat-acrylate)   acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymer   [1, 2]
CA     cellulose acetate   cellulose acetate   [1, 2]
CAB     cellulose acetate butyrate   cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate-butyrate   [1, 2]

Authenticated
CAP     cellulose acetate propionate   cellulose acetate propionate   [1, 2]
CEF     net-(cellulose-co-formaldehyde)   cellulose formaldehyde copolymer   [1, 2]
1008      J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names

CF     net-poly(cresol-co-formaldehyde)   cresol-formaldehyde copolymer   [1, 2]

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CMC     carboxymethyl cellulose   carboxymethyl cellulose   [1, 2]
CN     cellulose nitrate   cellulose nitrate   [1, 2]
COC       cycloolefin copolymer   [1]
CP     cellulose propionate   cellulose propionate   [1, 2]
CPE     chlorinated polyethylene   chlorinated polyethylene   [2]
CPVC     chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)   chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride)   [2]
CS     casein   casein   [2]

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CSF     net-(casein-co-formaldehyde)   casein-formaldehyde copolymer   [2]
CTA     cellulose triacetate   cellulose triacetate   [1, 2]
EAA     poly[ethene-stat-(acrylic acid)]   ethene-(acrylic acid) copolymer   [1]
EBAK     poly[ethene-stat-(butyl acrylate)]   ethene-(butyl acrylate) copolymer   [1]
EC     ethyl cellulose   ethyl cellulose   [1, 2]
E-CTFE     poly(ethene-co-chlorotrifluoroethene)   ethene-chlorotrifluoroethene copolymer   [2]
EEA     poly[ethene-stat-(ethyl acrylate)]   ethene-ethyl acrylate copolymer   [2]
EEAK     poly[ethene-stat-(ethyl acrylate)]   ethene-(ethyl acrylate) copolymer   [1]
EMA     poly[ethene-stat-(methacrylic acid)]   ethene-(methacrylic acid) copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid   [1, 2]
copolymer
EP       epoxy, epoxide copolymer   [1, 2]
E/P     polyethylene-block-polypropylene   ethylene-propylene copolymer   [1]
 (Appendix Continued)

Abbreviationa   IUPAC   IUPAC named   Name of polymer on which abbreviation is basede   Source
abbreviationb,c

EPD     poly(ethene-ran-propene-ran-diene)   ethene-propene-diene copolymer   [2]

EPM     polyethylene-block-polypropylene   ethylene-propylene copolymer   [2]
ETFE     poly(ethene-co-tetrafluoroethene)   ethene-tetrafluoroethene copolymer   [1, 2]
EVA     poly[ethene-stat-(vinyl acetate)]   ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer   [2]
EVAC     poly[ethene-stat-(vinyl acetate)]   ethene-(vinyl acetate) copolymer   [1]
EVOH     poly[ethene-co-(vinyl alcohol))   ethene-(vinyl alcohol) copolymer, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer  [1, 2]
FECA       thermoplastic elastomer, fully crosslinked elastomer alloy   [2]
FEP     poly(hexafluoropropene-co-tetrafluoroethene)   perfluoro(ethylene-propylene) copolymer   [1, 2]
FF     poly(furan-alt-formaldehyde)   furan-formaldehyde copolymer   [1, 2]
HBV       poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-hydroxyvalerate)   [1]
HCTPV       thermoplastic elastomer, highly crosslinked thermoplastic   [2]
vulcanizate
HDPE       high-density polyethylene   [2]
HIPS       high impact-resistant polystyrene   [2]
IPS       impact-resistant polystyrene   [2]
LCP       liquid-crystal polymer   [1, 2]
LDPE       low-density polyethylene   [2]
LLDPE       linear low-density polyethylene   [2]
LMDPE       linear medium-density polyethylene   [2]
MABS     poly[(methyl methacrylate)-co-acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene]   (methyl methacrylate)-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer   [1]
MBS     poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene   (methyl methacrylate)-butadiene-styrene copolymer   [1]

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MBS     polymethacrylate-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene   methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer   [2]
MC     methyl cellulose   methyl cellulose   [1, 2]
MDPE       medium-density polyethylene   [2]

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MF     net-poly(melamine-co-formaldehyde)   melamine-formaldehyde copolymer   [1, 2]
MFA       perfluoromethoxy copolymer   [2]
MMABS     poly[(methyl methacrylate)-co-acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene]   methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer   [2]
MP     net-poly(melamine-co-phenol)   melamine-phenol copolymer   [1]
MPA       fluorocarbon perfluoromethoxy   [2]
MPF     net-poly(melamine-co-phenol-co-formaldehyde)   melamine/phenol-formaldehyde copolymer   [2]
MSAN     poly(α-methyl styrene-stat-acrylonitrile)   α-methylstyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer   [1]

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PA   PA c   polyamide   polyamide   [1, 2]
PA11     poly(11-aminoundecanoic acid)   polyamide 11   [2]
PA12     polylauryllactam   polyamide 12   [2]
PA1212     poly(dodecamethylene dodecamide)   polyamide 1212   [2]
PA46     poly(tetramethylene adipamide)   polyamide 46   [2]
PA6     poly(ε-caprolactam), poly(hexano-6-lactam)   polyamide 6   [2]
J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names      1009

PA610     poly(hexamethylene sebacamide)   polyamide 610   [2]

 (Appendix Continued)

Abbreviationa   IUPAC   IUPAC named   Name of polymer on which abbreviation is basede   Source
abbreviationb,c

PA612     poly(hexamethylene laurylamide)   polyamide 612   [2]

PA66     poly(N,N′-hexamethylene adipamide)   polyamide 66   [2]
PA69     poly(hexamethylene azelamide)   polyamide 69   [2]
PAA   PAAc   poly(acrylic acid)   poly(acrylic acid)   [1, 2]
PADC     poly(oxydiethane-2,1-diyl diprop-2-en-1-yl biscarbonate)   poly(allyl diglycol carbonate)   [2]
PAE   PAEc   polyarylether   polyarylether   [2]
PAEK   PAEKc   poly(aryletherketone)   polyaryletherketone, poly(aryl ether ketone)   [1, 2]
PAI   PAIc   poly(amide-imide)   polyamideimide, polyamide-imide   [1, 2]
PAK     polyacrylate   polyacrylate, polyester alkyd   [1, 2]
PAN   PANb,c   polyacrylonitrile   polyacrylonitrile   [1, 2]
PAR   PARc   polyarylate   polyarylate   [1, 2]
PARA   PARAc   polyarylamide   polyarylamide, polyaryl amide   [1, 2]
PASU   PASUc   poly(arylsulfone)   polyarylsulfone   [2]
PAT     poly(aryl terephthalate)   poly(aryl terephthalate)   [2]
PAT1,5D   PAT1,5Dc   poly(alkylthiophenes)-1,5-diyl    
P3AT   P3ATc   poly(3-alkylthiophenes)    

Authenticated
PAUR     polyesterurethane   poly(ester urethane)   [2]
PB   PBc   poly(but-1-ene), polybutylene   polybutene, polybutene-1   [1, 2]
1010      J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names

PBA   PBAc   poly(butyl acrylate)   poly(butyl acrylate)   [2]

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PBAK     poly(butyl acrylate)   poly(butyl acrylate)   [1]
PBDAN   PBDANc   poly(buta-1,3-diene-co-acrylonitrile), poly(butadiene-acrylonitrile)   polybutadiene-acrylonitrile   [2]
PBD   PBDc   poly(buta-1,3-diene), polybutadiene   1,2-polybutadiene   [1]
PBI   PBIc   poly(benzimidazole)   poly(benzimidazole)  
PBMA   PBMAc   poly(butyl methacrylate)   poly(butyl methacrylate)  
PBN   PBNc   poly(tetramethylene naphthalene-1,8-diyl), poly(butylene naphthalate)   poly(butylene naphthalate)   [1]
PBS       poly(butylene succinate)   [1]

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PBS   PBStc   poly(butadiene-co-styrene)   polybutadiene-styrene   [2]
PBSA       poly(butylene succinate adipate)   [1]
PBT   PBTc   poly(tetramethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene tererphthalate)   poly(butylene tererphthalate)   [1, 2]
PC   PCc   bisphenol-A polycarbonate   polycarbonate   [1, 2]
PCCE     poly[cyclohexane-1,4-diylbis(methylene) cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate]   poly(cyclohexylene dimethylene cyclohexanedicarboxylate)   [1, 2]
PCL   PCLc   polycaprolactone   polycaprolactone, poly(ε-caprolactone)   [1, 2]
PCO       polycycloolefin   [1]
PCT     poly[cyclohexane-1,4-diylbis(methylene) terephthalate]   poly(cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate)   [1, 2]
PCTA     poly[cyclohexane-1,4-diylbis(methylene) terephthalate]   poly(cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), acid comonomer   [2]
PCTFE   PCTFEb,c   poly(chlorotrifluoroethene)   polychlorotrifluoroethylene   [1, 2]
PCTG       poly(cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate), glycol   [2]
PDAP   PDAPc   poly(diallyl phthalate)   poly(diallyl phthalate)   [1, 2]
 (Appendix Continued)

Abbreviationa   IUPAC   IUPAC named   Name of polymer on which abbreviation is basede   Source
abbreviationb,c

PDCPD   PDCPDc   poly(dicyclopentadiene)   polydicyclopentadiene   [1]

PDHS   PDHSc   poly(dihexylsilane)    
PDLA   PDLAc   poly(d-lactic acid), poly[(R)-lactic acid]   poly(d-lactic acid)  
PDMS   PDMSc   poly(dimethylsiloxane)    
PE   PEb,c   polyethene, polyethylene   polyethene, polyethylene   [1, 2]
PE-C       polyethylene, chlorinated   [1]
PE-HD       polyethylene, high density   [1]
PE-LD       polyethylene, low density   [1]
PE-LLD       polyethylene, linear low density   [1]
PE-MD       polyethylene, medium density   [1]
PE-UHMW       polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight   [1]
PE-VLD       polyethylene, very low density   [1]
PEBA       poly(ether block amide)   [2]
PEC   PECc   polyestercarbonate   polyestercarbonate   [1]
PEDOT     poly[3,4-(ethylenedioxy)thiophene]    
PEEK   PEEKc   polyetheretherketone   polyetheretherketone, polyetheretherketone   [1, 2]
PEEKK   PEEKKc   polyetheretherketoneketone   polyetheretherketoneketone   [2]
PEKEKK   PEKEKKc   polyetherketoneetherketoneketone   polyetherketoneetherketoneketone   [2]
PEEST   PEESTc   polyetherester   polyetherester   [1]
PEI   PEIc   polyetherimide   polyetherimide   [1, 2]
PEK   PEKc   polyetherketone   polyetherketone   [1, 2]

Authenticated
PEKK   PEKKc   polyetherketoneketone   polyetherketoneketone   [2]
PEN   PENc   poly(ethylene naphthalate)   poly(ethylene naphthalate)   [1, 2]
PEO   PEOb,c   poly(ethylene oxide)   poly(ethylene oxide)  

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PEOX     poly(ethylene oxide)   poly(ethylene oxide), poly(oxyethylene)   [1, 2]
PES       poly(ethylene succinate)   [1]
PESTUR   PESTURc   polyesterurethane   polyesterurethane   [1]
PESU   PESUc   polyethersulfone   polyethersulfone, poly(ether sulfone)   [1, 2]
PET   PETc   poly(ethylene terephthalate)   poly(ethylene terephthalate)   [1, 2]
PETG       poly(ethylene terephthalate) glycol comonomer   [2]
PETP   PETPb   poly(ethylene terephthalate)   poly(ethylene terephthalate)  

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PEUR   PEURc   polyetherurethane   polyetherurethane, poly(ether urethane)   [1, 2]
PF     net-poly(phenol-co-formaldehyde)   phenol-formaldehyde copolymer   [1, 2]
PFA       perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether)-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer   [1]
PFA       perfluoro(alkoxy alkane)   [2]
PFF     net-poly(phenol-co-furfural)   phenol-furfural copolymer   [2]
PHA       polyhydroxyalkanoate   [1]
J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names      1011

PHB     poly(3-hydroxybutanoate)   poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), polyhydroxy butyrate   [1, 2]

P3HB   P3HBc   poly(3-hydroxybutanoate)    
 (Appendix Continued)

Abbreviationa   IUPAC   IUPAC named   Name of polymer on which abbreviation is basede   Source
abbreviationb,c

P3HT   P3HTc   poly(3-hexylthiophene)    

PI   PIc   polyimide   polyimide   [1, 2]
PIB   PIBb,c   poly(2-methylpropene), polyisobutylene, polyisobutene   polyisobutylene   [1, 2]
PIP   PIPc   poly(imino-1,4-phenylene)    
PIR     polyisocyanurate   polyisocyanurate   [1, 2]
PISU   PISUc   polyimidesulfone   polyimidesulfone   [2]
PK   PKc   polyketone   polyketone   [1, 2]
PLA   PLAc   poly(lactic acid), polylactide   poly(lactic acid), polylactide   [1]
PLLA   PLLAc   poly(l-lactic acid), poly[(S)-lactic acid]   poly(l-lactic acid)  
PMA   PMAc   poly(methyl acrylate)   poly(methyl acrylate)  
PMCA   PMCAc   poly(methyl-2-chloroacrylate)   poly(methyl-α-chloroacrylate)   [2]
PMHS   PMHSc   poly[methyl(hexyl)silane]    
PMI   PMIc   poly(methacryl imide)   polymethacrylimide   [1, 2]
PMMA   PMMAb,c   poly(methyl methacrylate)   poly(methyl methacrylate)   [1, 2]
PMMI   PMMIc   poly(methyl methacrylimide)   poly(N-methylmethacrylimide), poly(methyl methacrylimide)   [1, 2]
PMP   PMPc   poly(4-methylpent-1-ene)   poly(4-methylpent-1-ene), poly-4-methylpentene-1   [1, 2]

Authenticated
PMPS   PMPSc   poly[methyl(phenyl)silane]    
1012      J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names

PMS   PMStc   poly(methyl styrene), poly(isopropenylbenzene), poly[(1-methylvinyl)   poly(α-methylstyrene), poly-α-methylstyrene   [1, 2]

benzene], poly(2-phenylpropene)

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POB     poly(4-hydroxybenzoate)   poly-p-oxybenzoate   [2]
POM   POMb,c   poly(oxymethylene), polyformaldehyde   polyoxymethylene, polyacetal, polyformaldehyde   [1, 2]
PP   PPb,c   polypropene, polypropylene   polypropylene   [1, 2]
PP-HI       polypropene, high impact   [1]
PPA   PPAc   polyphthalamide   polyphthalamide   [2]
PPE     poly(1,4-phenylene oxide)   poly(phenylene ether)   [1, 2]
PPO   PPOc   poly(1,4-phenylene oxide)    

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PPOX     poly(propylene oxide)   poly(propylene oxide)   [1, 2]
PPS   PPSc   poly(p-phenylene sulfide)   poly(phenylene sulfide)   [1, 2]
PPSU   PPSUc   poly(p-phenylene sulfone)   poly(phenylene sulfone), poly(phenyl sulfone)   [1, 2]
PPTA   PPTAc   poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)   poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide)  
PS   PSb, PSt c   polystyrene   polystyrene   [1, 2]
PSS     poly(4-vinylbenzenesulfonic acid)   poly(styrene sulfonate)  
PS-S       polystyrene, sulfonated   [1]
PSU   PSUc   polysulfone   polysulfone   [1, 2]
PTFE   PTFEb,c   poly(tetrafluoroethene), poly(tetrafluoroethylene)   polytetrafluoroethylene   [1, 2]
PTT   PTTc   poly(trimethylene terephthalate)   poly(trimethylene terephthalate)   [1]
PUR   PURc   polyurethane   polyurethane   [1, 2]
PVAC   PVACb,c   poly(vinyl acetate)   poly(vinyl acetate)   [1, 2]
 (Appendix Continued)

Abbreviationa   IUPAC   IUPAC named   Name of polymer on which abbreviation is basede   Source
abbreviationb,c

PVAL   PVALb,c   poly(vinyl alcohol)   poly(vinyl alcohol)   [1]

PVB   PVBc   poly(vinyl butyral)   poly(vinyl butyral)   [1, 2]
PVC   PVCb,c   poly(vinyl chloride)   poly(vinyl chloride)   [1, 2]
PVCA   PVCAc   poly(vinyl chloride-acetate)   poly(vinyl chloride-acetate)   [2]
PVC-C       poly(vinyl chloride), chlorinated   [1]
PVDC   PVDCb,c   poly(vinylidene chloride), poly(1,1-dichloroethene)   poly(vinylidene chloride)   [1, 2]
PVDF   PVDFb,c   poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(1,1-difluoroethene)   poly(vinylidene fluoride)   [1, 2]
PVF   PVFb,c   poly(vinyl fluoride)   poly(vinyl fluoride)   [1, 2]
PVFM   PVFMc   poly(vinyl formal)   poly(vinyl formal)   [1, 2]
PVK     poly(N-vinylcarbazole)   poly(N-vinylcarbazole), poly-N-vinylcarbazole, poly(vinyl   [1, 2]
carbazole)
PVOH     poly(vinyl alcohol)   poly(vinyl alcohol)   [2]
PVP     poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)   poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)   [1, 2]
SAN     poly(styrene-stat-acrylonitrile)   styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer   [1, 2]
SB     poly(styrene-stat-butadiene)   styrene-butadiene copolymer   [1, 2]
SBS     polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene   styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer   [2]
SEBS     polystyrene-block-poly(ethene-co-butadiene)-block-polystyrene   styrene-ethene/butadiene-styrene block copolymer   [2]
SEPS     polystyrene-block-poly(ethene-co-propene)-block-polystyrene   styrene-ethene/propene-styrene block copolymer   [2]
SI       silicone polymer   [1]
SIS     polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene   styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer   [2]
SMAH     poly[styrene-alt-(maleic anhydride)]   styrene-(maleic anhydride) copolymer   [1]

Authenticated
S/MA     poly[styrene-alt-(maleic anhydride)]   styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer   [2]
SMS     poly[styrene-stat-(α-methylstyrene)]   styrene-α-methylstyrene copolymer   [1, 2]
SP       saturated polyester   [2]

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TEEE       thermoplastic elastomer, ether-ester   [2]
TEO       thermoplastic elastomer, olefinic   [2]
TES       thermoplastic elastomer, styrenic   [2]
TESS       thermoplastic elastomer, styrenic, saturated   [2]
TESU       thermoplastic elastomer, styrenic, unsaturated   [2]
TPE       thermoplastic elastomer   [2]
TPES       thermoplastic polyester   [2]

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TPU       thermoplastic polyurethane   [2]
TSPU       thermoset polyurethane   [2]
UF     net-poly(urea-co-formaldehyde)   urea-formaldehyde copolymer   [1, 2]
UHMWPE       ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene   [2]
UP       unsaturated polyester copolymer   [1, 2]
J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names      1013
 (Appendix Continued)

Abbreviationa   IUPAC   IUPAC named   Name of polymer on which abbreviation is basede   Source
abbreviationb,c

VCE     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-ethene]   (vinyl chloride)-ethylene copolymer, vinyl chloride-ethylene   [1, 2]

copolymer
VCEMA     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-ethene-stat-(methyl acrylate)]   vinyl chloride-ethene-methyl acrylate copolymer   [2]
VCEMAK     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-ethene-stat-(methyl acrylate)]   (vinyl chloride)-ethylene-(methyl acrylate) copolymer   [1]
VCEVAC     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-ethene-stat-(vinyl acetate)]   (vinyl chloride)-ethylene-(vinyl acetate) copolymer, vinyl chloride-   [1, 2]
ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer
VCMA     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-(methyl acrylate)]   vinyl chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer   [2]
VCMAK     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-(methyl acrylate)]   (vinyl chloride)-(methyl acrylate) copolymer   [1]
VCMMA     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-(methyl methacrylate)]   (vinyl chloride)-(methyl methacrylate) copolymer, vinyl chloride-   [1, 2]
methyl methacrylate copolymer
VCOA     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-(octyl acrylate)]   vinyl chloride-octyl acrylate copolymer   [2]
VCOAK     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-(octyl acrylate)]   (vinyl chloride)-(octyl acrylate) copolymer   [1]
VCVAC     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-(vinyl acetate)]   (vinyl chloride)-(vinyl acetate) copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl   [1, 2]
acetate copolymer
VCVDC     poly[(vinyl chloride)-stat-(vinylidene chloride)]   (vinyl chloride)-(vinylidene chloride) copolymer, vinyl chloride-   [1, 2]

Authenticated
vinylidene chloride copolymer
VE     poly(vinyl-co-ester)   vinyl ester copolymer   [1]
1014      J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names

Notes:

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a
IUPAC Rule 3 and Guideline 3.2 recommend the use of the letter P for “poly” at the beginning of the abbreviations of both homopolymer and copolymer names except for traditional polymer
names, such as cellulose nitrate, for which the prefix is not a component part of the name. Thus, when abbreviating copolymer names in scientific publications, IUPAC recommends the use of
the letter P to be followed by the abbreviated monomer names in parentheses with a hyphen or hyphens and connectives separating them, regardless of the pre-existing abbreviations based
on the ISO Standard [1] listed below.
b
Those abbreviations labeled “b” are collected from IUPAC, Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature, Use of Abbreviations for Names of Polymeric Substances, (Recommendations
1986), Pure Appl. Chem. 69, 691 (1987).
c

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Those abbreviations labeled “c” are consistent with the guidelines in the present IUPAC Recommendations.
d
IUPAC names may be structure-based names, traditional names, or source-based names.
e
Although they are not necessarily consistent with IUPAC nomenclature, names listed in this column are for understanding the origin of existing abbreviations.

Appendix References
[1] ISO 1043-1, 2011 Plastic – Symbols and Abbreviated Terms – Part 1: Basic polymers and their special characteristics.
[2] ASTM D1600-08 Standard Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics.
 J. He et al.: Guidelines for abbreviating polymer names      1015

References
[1] International Organization for Standardization. Plastics – Symbols and Abbreviated Terms – Part 1: Basic polymers and their
special characteristics. ISO 1043-1, 2011.
[2] IUPAC. Pure Appl. Chem. 40, 473 (1974).
[3] IUPAC. Pure Appl. Chem. 59, 691 (1987).
[4] IUPAC. “ISO abbreviations for names of polymeric substances”, in Compendium of Polymer Terminology and Nomenclature,
IUPAC Recommendations 2008 (the “Purple Book”), R. G. Jones, J. Kahovec, R. Stepto, E. S. Wilks, M. Hess, T. Kitayama, W.
V. Metanomski (Eds.), Chapter 22, RSC Publishing, Cambridge, UK (2009).
[5] IUPAC. Pure Appl. Chem. 52, 2229 (1980).
[6] IUPAC. “Stereochemical definitions and notations relating to polymers”, in Compendium of Polymer Terminology and
Nomenclature, IUPAC Recommendations 2008 (the “Purple Book”), R. G. Jones, J. Kahovec, R. Stepto, E. S. Wilks, M. Hess, T.
Kitayama, W. V. Metanomski (Eds.), Chapter 2, RSC Publishing, Cambridge, UK (2009).

Note: Republication or reproduction of this report or its storage and/or dissemination by electronic means is permitted without
the need for formal IUPAC permission on condition that an acknowledgment, with full reference to the source, along with use of
the copyright symbol ©, the name IUPAC, and the year of publication, are prominently visible. Publication of a translation into
another language is subject to the additional condition of prior approval from the relevant IUPAC National Adhering Organization.

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