ASA
ASTM D4785 · GB GB/T 24151 · ISO 2580-2 ASA · also Centrex, Geloy
ASA (Luran S, Geloy; ASTM D4785, GB/T 24151) is an amorphous styrenic terpolymer in which the butadiene rubber phase of ABS is replaced by saturated acrylate rubber, giving ABS-like mechanicals — 45 MPa yield, 47 MPa tensile, 25 % elongation and 2.2 GPa modulus at 1.07 g/cm³ — with much better UV, weathering and colour retention.
ASA grades and fills
ASA is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDM part, XY orientation, as built | Use for FDM parts as built in the XY orientation, 34 MPa tensile and 1.9 GPa modulus, and design around the anisotropy because Z interlayer strength is markedly lower. | 32 | 34 | 8 | 76 Shore D |
High impact / impact modified | Choose the impact-modified grade with higher acrylate rubber content for outdoor structural parts needing 40% elongation or toughness at low temperature; modulus stays 1.9 GPa. | 38 | 40 | 40 | 74 Shore D |
FDM filament grade | Use the 1.75/2.85 mm filament grade optimized for FDM extrusion when outdoor prints need weatherability and less warp than ABS; print in an enclosed, heated chamber. | 42 | 44 | 20 | 77 Shore D |
Flame retardant | Pick the flame-retardant modification when UL 94 V-0 is required, as in outdoor electrical enclosures and PV junction boxes; impact toughness and melt flow drop slightly. | 43 | 44 | 12 | 79 Shore D |
pigmented weather-resistant compound | Pick the pigmented weather-resistant compound (usually carbon black or inorganic colors) when outdoor color and gloss retention govern; tensile stays 46 MPa, elongation 22%. | 44 | 46 | 22 | 78 Shore D |
Heat resistant / high heat grade | Pick the heat-resistant grade, copolymerized or alloyed for a higher glass transition, for dark automotive exterior parts that heat up under solar load; service to 90 °C. | 49 | 50 | 15 | 80 Shore D |
20% glass fiber reinforced | Choose 20% glass fiber reinforcement when stiffness of 5.5 GPa, creep resistance and lower CTE govern; elongation falls to 3% and impact toughness and surface appearance drop. | — | 85 | 3 | 85 HRM |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways ASA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EXT | Extrusion / sheet & profile grade | Supply form |
UV Stabilized | HALS/UV-absorber package added | Grade option |
UnfilledDefault | Natural/uncolored injection grade | Standard supply |
What is ASA?
ASA (Luran S, Geloy; ASTM D4785, GB/T 24151) is an amorphous styrenic terpolymer in which the butadiene rubber phase of ABS is replaced by saturated acrylate rubber, giving ABS-like mechanicals — 45 MPa yield, 47 MPa tensile, 25 % elongation and 2.2 GPa modulus at 1.07 g/cm³ — with much better UV, weathering and colour retention. It is used for outdoor injection mouldings, extruded profiles and sheet and outdoor FDM printing, in UV-stabilised, GF20, FR and high-impact grades. Limits are moderate heat resistance (HDT about 85–100 °C, 80 °C maximum service), poor resistance to ketones, esters and chlorinated hydrocarbons, and a higher price than ABS. ASA has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F). ASA has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
What is ASA used for?
- Outdoor equipment housings
- Automotive mirror housings and exterior trim
- Building and window profiles
- Roof drainage and gutter components
- Antenna radomes
- Garden tool bodies
- Outdoor FDM printed parts
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 88/100, better than 90% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 77% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades
ASA properties
Typical room-temperature values in the Unfilled condition; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
ASA has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 68% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Mechanical15
ASA has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 2.2 GPa (0.319 Msi).
Thermal11
ASA is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 85 µm/m·K (47.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
ASA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 78% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ASA takes about 96 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
ASA's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (75/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. ASA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with ASA
Is ASA easy to machine?
Amorphous and easy to cut with sharp positive-rake tools at high spindle speed and low feed; keep chips clear and cool the cut so frictional heat does not melt and re-weld the surface. Glass-filled grades require carbide tooling.
Can ASA be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate and vibration/friction welding all work, and solvent bonding with MEK or dichloromethane is possible; cyanoacrylate and epoxy adhesives also bond well.
Can ASA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C before moulding, run 230–260 °C melt with 50–80 °C tool, and allow about 0.4–0.7 % shrinkage. Sheet vacuum-thermoforms.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to ASA. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent75 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.8 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 500 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 10× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent75 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent70 / 100 |
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | 0.3 – 0.7 % |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | 0.8 – 4 mm |
| Recommended draft | 1 ° |
| Pre-drying | 80 °C for 4 h |
| UV resistance | Fair |
3D printing
| Technologies | FDM |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 50 – 300 µmdefault 100 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 1 / 0.5 mm |
| Build envelope | 300 × 300 × 380 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Moderate |
ASA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| styrenestyrene monomer unit | 55 – 75 | 65 |
| acrylonitrileacrylonitrile monomer unit | 15 – 25 | 21 |
| acrylate rubber (n-butyl acrylate)saturated acrylate rubber graft phase, gives weatherability | 8 – 30 | 14 |
| stabilizers/pigmentsantioxidant/HALS/UV absorber/pigments | 0.2 – 3 | 1 |
What surface finishes work on ASA?
Weatherability is in the polymer, so outdoor parts often need no paint; high-gloss and grained tool textures reproduce well. Electroplating uses ABS-type pretreatment with slightly lower adhesion than ABS, and acrylic or PU paints can be sprayed.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Coating
Injection Molding Coating
Organic Coating
Metallization / Functional
Coloring
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to ASA in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- D4785
- ISO
- 2580-2 ASA
- GB (China)
- GB/T 24151
- Trade names
- CentrexGeloyLuran SAcrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate
How much does ASA cost?
ASA is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
ASA — frequently asked
What is ASA used for?
ASA is typically used for outdoor equipment housings, automotive mirror housings and exterior trim, building and window profiles, roof drainage and gutter components, antenna radomes and garden tool bodies. In short: weather resistant tough.
What is the yield strength of ASA?
ASA has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 47 MPa (6.82 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is ASA easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades). Amorphous and easy to cut with sharp positive-rake tools at high spindle speed and low feed; keep chips clear and cool the cut so frictional heat does not melt and re-weld the surface. Glass-filled grades require carbide tooling.
Can ASA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate and vibration/friction welding all work, and solvent bonding with MEK or dichloromethane is possible; cyanoacrylate and epoxy adhesives also bond well.
What surface finishes work on ASA?
Weatherability is in the polymer, so outdoor parts often need no paint; high-gloss and grained tool textures reproduce well. Electroplating uses ABS-type pretreatment with slightly lower adhesion than ABS, and acrylic or PU paints can be sprayed.
Can ASA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C before moulding, run 230–260 °C melt with 50–80 °C tool, and allow about 0.4–0.7 % shrinkage. Sheet vacuum-thermoforms.
What is the maximum service temperature of ASA?
ASA is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does ASA cost?
ASA is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in ASA?
Yes — ASA is available for CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Luran S ASA — INEOS Styrolution (2022)
- Geloy ASA Resin Product Data — SABIC (2021)
- Centrex ASA/AES Weatherable Polymers — INEOS Styrolution (2020)
- CAMPUS Plastics ISO 10350 (ASA) — CAMPUS/CWFG (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 19064-1 Plastics — ASA moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2015)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.