ASA · print state
ASA As Printed
Properties of the As Printed condition, compared with the other ASA grades.
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.
What is ASA As Printed?
ASA As Printed is ASA in the As Printed condition — 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. ASA As Printed has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi). ASA As Printed has a density of 1.03 g/cm³ (0.0372 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; As Printed is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades
ASA As Printed properties
Typical room-temperature values for ASA As Printed — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every ASA grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
ASA As Printed has a density of 1.03 g/cm³ (0.0372 lb/in³), lighter than 71% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Mechanical15
ASA As Printed has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi).
Thermal11
ASA As Printed is rated for continuous service to 78°C (172 °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 As Printed 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 80% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ASA As Printed 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 As Printed's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other ASA grades and fills
ASA is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the ASA overview.
- UnfilledDefaultChoose the natural unfilled injection or extrusion grade for general housings and outdoor parts: ABS-level mechanicals at 47 MPa tensile with inherent weather resistance.45 MPa yield · 105 HRR
- GF20Choose 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 MPa tensile
- HHPick 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.50 MPa tensile
- ASA 3DPUse 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.44 MPa tensile
- HIChoose 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 MPa yield · 98 HRR
- As PrintedUse 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.34 MPa tensile
Working with ASA As Printed
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.
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.
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 |
ASA As Printed — frequently asked
What is ASA As Printed used for?
ASA As Printed 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 As Printed?
ASA As Printed has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 34 MPa (4.93 ksi) — weaker than 62% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is ASA As Printed 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 As Printed 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 As Printed?
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 As Printed 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 As Printed?
ASA As Printed is rated for continuous use to about 78°C (172 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ASA Unfilled and ASA-HI?
Unfilled is the default condition — choose the natural unfilled injection or extrusion grade for general housings and outdoor parts: ABS-level mechanicals at 47 MPa tensile with inherent weather resistance. HI: 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. Yield strength is 45 MPa in Unfilled versus 38 MPa in HI.
Can FabDigit make parts in ASA As Printed?
Yes — ASA As Printed 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.