{"id":14233,"date":"2026-05-22T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/?p=14233"},"modified":"2026-05-19T10:31:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T08:31:28","slug":"how-to-identify-plastic-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/how-to-identify-plastic-types\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Identify Every Type of Plastic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Plastics vary greatly in <strong>properties<\/strong> such as <strong>density<\/strong>, <strong>flexibility<\/strong>, and <strong>reaction to heat<\/strong>. Correctly identifying the type of plastic is crucial for recycling, product development, and quality control. In this blog, we discuss <strong>three practical tests<\/strong> to identify a plastic product.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-930a649e qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-537c9e0c qodef-vertical-align--middle qodef-horizontal-align--center\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-681ff7721cb5af4410ef6009420f2bea\" id=\"let-op-ontwerp-bepaalt-het-succes-bij-spuitgieten\" style=\"font-size:30px\">Disclaimer:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77061c96c6f2cc913be0913e33be4cc6\">The tests in this article provide an initial impression but are not always 100% reliable. Results may differ from expectations, for example, due to additives in the plastic. Always perform tests safely. Harmful fumes are released during combustion. Not sure? Rely on the expertise of Orange Plastics.     <br\/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Feel free to contact us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-8b2007a2 qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-936487f4\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a1a0cdea0b1c36de4121ddc65257ab3e\" id=\"samenvatting\" style=\"font-size:40px\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5c751ebef0410d4928dc24f0e8cf765d\">You can recognize different types of plastics by performing simple tests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28782a419cff25a16fbc7410cd4733dc\">In the sink or float test, you determine density by seeing if the plastic sinks or stays afloat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-635cb61d13b36c9b2a01dafb4869a7c7\">With a compression test, you apply pressure to the material to see if it is flexible or rigid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e51e461f11b7bd023b067f59592beff5\">In a burn test, you observe how the plastic reacts to fire by noting the flame color, smoke, and smell.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7d004dc0391d0d61128e337ddf4c2643\">In this blog, you will read how these tests work and how to recognize types of plastic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<p><br\/><\/p>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-58f5bb9d qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-59dc7068\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h3>Table of contents<\/h3><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#samenvatting\">Summary<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#hoe-werkt-spuitgieten\">\n1. How does a sink or float test work?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#hoe-werkt-spuitgieten-1\">\n2. How does a compression test work?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#hoe-werkt-spuitgieten-1-1\">\n3. How does a burn test work?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#hoe-werkt-spuitgieten-1-1-1-1\">\nConclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hoe-werkt-spuitgieten\" style=\"font-size:40px\"><br\/>1. How does a sink or float test work?<\/h2>\n\n<p>A sink or float test can be used to distinguish between two general groups of plastic. Elements with a low density will float, while all other plastics sink due to their high density.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"606\" src=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-1024x606.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-1536x910.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><em>An example of a sink or float test.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-smelten-van-het-kunststofgranulaat-1-1\" style=\"font-size:30px\">How it works<\/h3>\n\n<p>You fill a container with water and drop the plastic in. Based on whether the material floats or sinks, you can estimate the type of plastic. <\/p>\n\n<ul start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Plastics with a <strong>higher density sink<\/strong>, such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PA (polyamide), PC (polycarbonate), POM (polyoxymethylene), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plastics with a <strong>low density<\/strong> stay <strong>afloat<\/strong>, such as PE (polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1137\" src=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-overzicht-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14149\" style=\"width:1024px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-overzicht-3.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-overzicht-3-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-overzicht-3-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-overzicht-3-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-sink-en-float-test-overzicht-3-1536x910.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><em>Overview of plastic types that sink or float.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hoe-werkt-spuitgieten-1\" style=\"font-size:40px\"><br\/>2. How does a compression test work?<\/h2>\n\n<p>Plastics react differently to high pressure. Flexible plastics withstand high pressure, while others bend or sometimes even break. By performing a compression test with a compressor, you can determine the plastic type of a product.   <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-smelten-van-het-kunststofgranulaat-1-1-1\" style=\"font-size:30px\">How it works<\/h3>\n\n<p>Using a compressor, force is applied to the material to see if it deforms, bends, or breaks. Based on this reaction, you can better recognize the type of plastic. <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Some plastics<\/strong>, such as POM, (partially) return to their original shape after deformation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flexible plastics<\/strong> bend without breaking, such as PE, PP, PA, and PC.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rigid plastics <\/strong>can break under pressure, such as ABS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p><a id=\"_msocom_1\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"606\" src=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-compressie-test-1024x606.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-compressie-test-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-compressie-test-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-compressie-test-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-compressie-test-1536x910.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-compressie-test.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><em><em>An example of a compression test.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hoe-werkt-spuitgieten-1-1\" style=\"font-size:40px\"><br\/>3. How does a burn test work?<\/h2>\n\n<p>You can identify a type of plastic by applying intense heat to it. Pay attention to the speed at which the plastic catches fire, the color of the flame, and the effect of the heat on the plastic. The reaction of the plastic is key.  <\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"606\" src=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-1024x606.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14152\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-1536x910.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><em><em>An example of how a burn test works.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-smelten-van-het-kunststofgranulaat-1-1-1\" style=\"font-size:30px\">How it works<\/h3>\n\n<p>During a burn test, you ignite a small piece of plastic and then observe the behavior and the smell. Plastics react differently to heat, which is visible in the <strong>flame color,<\/strong> <strong>smoke development,<\/strong> and <strong>odor<\/strong>. The image and table below explain what happens per plastic type.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Plastic type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Flame &amp; smoke<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Odor\/effect<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>PE<\/strong><\/td><td>Light yellow flame with blue core<\/td><td>Candle-like, waxy effect<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>PP<\/strong><\/td><td>Light yellow flame with blue core<\/td><td>Oily substance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>ABS<\/strong><\/td><td>Yellow flame<\/td><td>Thick smoke and soot<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>PA<\/strong><\/td><td>Blue flame with yellow layer<\/td><td>Similar to burning wool<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>PC<\/strong><\/td><td>Puffs of smoke<\/td><td>Sweet scent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>POM<\/strong><\/td><td>Almost invisible flame<\/td><td>Strong formaldehyde odor<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>PET<\/strong><\/td><td>Yellow and smoky flame<\/td><td>Sweet scent<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-smelten-van-het-kunststofgranulaat-1-1-1\" style=\"font-size:30px\">Safety first<\/h3>\n\n<p>It is important that safety comes first during the burn test. Therefore, always ensure that you prepare and carefully execute the following points: <\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wear <strong>protective clothing<\/strong> and ensure <strong>sufficient ventilation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When in doubt, always consult an <strong>injection partner<\/strong> or laboratory for accurate identification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1137\" src=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-tabel_EN-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14155\" style=\"width:1024px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-tabel_EN-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-tabel_EN-1-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-tabel_EN-1-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-tabel_EN-1-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/soorten-plastic-identificeren-brand-test-tabel_EN-1-1536x910.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><em>A table showing the reactions of different types of plastic during a burn test.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hoe-werkt-spuitgieten-1-1-1-1\" style=\"font-size:40px\"><br\/>Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n<p>With three simple tests, you can better identify the type of plastic:<\/p>\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sink or float test <\/strong>to determine density.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compression test <\/strong>to assess flexibility and sturdiness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Burn test<\/strong> to analyze flame color, smoke, and smell.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p>These methods can be performed at home (with the proper safety measures) or professionally.<\/p>\n\n<p>Pay close attention to how the material reacts during the tests. This allows you to identify the plastic more accurately, which helps with recycling, product development, and quality management. <\/p>\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-columns qodef-gutenberg-section qodef--template qodef-block-3acbbf35 qodef-col-num--1 qodef-col-layout--100 qodef-content--boxed\"><div class=\"qodef-section-background-overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-row\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-column qodef-gutenberg-column qodef-block-79086a92 qodef-horizontal-align--start\"><div class=\"qodef-gutenberg-column-inner\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2d7818449abc081e4da82d3d7427adf7\" id=\"uw-product-laten-ontwikkelen\" style=\"font-size:40px\">Need your product developed?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-831c02f4ba4694b59e0b6cb55ac18265\" id=\"uw-product-laten-ontwikkelen\">Do you have a product idea or want a quick price estimate? Contact us and we will assist you right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-qi-blocks-spacer qodef-block-container qodef-block-62b1e08b\"><div class=\"qi-block-spacer qodef-block qodef-m\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/price-indication\/\" style=\"background-color:#f6861f\">Request a price indication<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Plastics vary greatly in properties such as density, flexibility, and reaction to heat. Correctly identifying the type of plastic is crucial for recycling, product development, and quality control. In this blog, we discuss three practical tests to identify a plastic product. 1. How does a sink or float test work? A sink or float test [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":14153,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[173,172],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-injection-molding","category-orange-plastics-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14233"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14252,"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14233\/revisions\/14252"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orangeplastics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}