ASA As Printed vs ASA GF20
Polymer · ASA grade comparison
ASA As Printed and ASA GF20 are two grades of the same polymer grade, ASA: As Printed (as built (as printed)) versus GF20 (20% glass fiber reinforced). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. ASA GF20 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for ASA As Printed, about 41% more; tensile strength follows at 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) vs 34 MPa (4.93 ksi). In exchange, ASA As Printed is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 3% for ASA GF20. ASA As Printed is lighter (1.03 g/cm³ vs 1.22 g/cm³ for ASA GF20) and ASA GF20 is stiffer (5.5 GPa vs 1.9 GPa). On the shop floor, ASA GF20 welds better (very good vs good).
ASA As PrintedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
ASA GF20Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
ASA As Printed vs ASA GF20: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.8 GPa0.12 Msi · Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.51 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.37
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 105°C221 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.3% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 1% · Refractive Index 1.57
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,450 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 19% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 95°C203 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 3 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.015 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · 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.
Weldability
Mold Shrinkage
Same in both: Machinability 60 / 100 · Formability (cold) 75 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100 · Melt Flow Rate 12 g/10 min · Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 245°C473 °F · Mold Temperature (typ.) 65°C149 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 96 MJ/kg41,273 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.9 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 5%
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.
ASA As Printed vs ASA GF20 — frequently asked
Is ASA GF20 stronger than ASA As Printed?
Yes. ASA GF20 has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) for ASA As Printed — about 41% more. Tensile strength is 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) vs 34 MPa (4.93 ksi).
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, As Printed or GF20?
Specify the condition in the material field or the drawing note; FabDigit prices the quote for the state you call out.
Which welds better, ASA As Printed or ASA GF20?
ASA GF20. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (60/100) for ASA As Printed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ASA As Printed and ASA GF20 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.