ASA vs SAN
Polymer · grade comparison
ASA and SAN are both polymer grades. SAN is the stronger of the two: yield strength 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for ASA, about 56% more; tensile strength follows at 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) vs 47 MPa (6.82 ksi). In exchange, ASA is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 3% for SAN, and SAN is harder (84 Shore D vs 78 Shore D). SAN is stiffer (3.6 GPa vs 2.2 GPa). On the shop floor, ASA machines more easily (very good vs good).
ASAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
SANChoose it when strength drives the design.
ASA vs SAN: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
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
Compressive Modulus
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Density 1.07 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.17 W/m·K0.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 80°C176 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 95°C203 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · 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.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Weldability 70 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 0.5% · Mold Temperature (typ.) 65°C149 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 96 MJ/kg41,273 BTU/lb
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 | ASA | SAN |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Injection molding | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Unfilled | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | Yes | — |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | Yes | — |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
ASA vs SAN — frequently asked
Is SAN stronger than ASA?
Yes. SAN has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for ASA — about 56% more. Tensile strength is 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) vs 47 MPa (6.82 ksi).
Which is cheaper, ASA or SAN?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, ASA or SAN?
ASA. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (60/100) for SAN.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ASA and SAN 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.