ABS vs ASA
Polymer · grade comparison
ABS and ASA are both polymer grades. ASA is the stronger of the two: yield strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) for ABS, about 7% more; tensile strength follows at 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) vs 43 MPa (6.24 ksi). On the shop floor, ABS sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than ASA (standard, $$).
ABSChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.
ASAChoose it when strength drives the design.
ABS vs ASA: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.51 Msi · Elongation at Break 25% · Hardness, Shore D 78 Shore D · Hardness, Rockwell R 105 HRR
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Refractive Index
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 105°C221 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.3% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 1%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.17 W/m·K0.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,450 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 100°C212 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 95°C203 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 5%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ABS | ASA |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Unfilled | Unfilled |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining, Sheet metal, Injection molding and 3D printing. Both take the same 12 finishes: Chrome Plating (Plastic), Conductive Coating, Dyeing (Nylon), EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Primer Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Spray Painting, Tinted Coating, UV Coating, Vacuum Metallization, Waterproof Coating.
ABS vs ASA — frequently asked
Is ASA stronger than ABS?
Yes. ASA has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) for ABS — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) vs 43 MPa (6.24 ksi).
Which is cheaper, ABS or ASA?
ABS is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while ASA is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, ABS or ASA?
ABS, by a small margin. Both rate very good for machinability — 80/100 against 75/100 for ASA; for welding the order is ABS first (very good, 78/100) then ASA (very good, 70/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ABS and ASA side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.