ASA Filaments
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is the outdoor-focused successor to ABS. It matches ABS for toughness and heat resistance but adds genuine UV stability — standard ABS yellows and becomes brittle after prolonged sun exposure, while ASA holds its colour and mechanical properties significantly longer. ASA is the go-to material for anything mounted outside: garden equipment, automotive trim, camera enclosures, or signage. Printing difficulty is similar to ABS: the material shrinks as it cools and warps aggressively without a heated enclosure. The fume profile is also comparable — proper ventilation is required.
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What is ASA used for?
- Outdoor parts exposed to sunlight and weather
- Automotive exterior trim, mirror covers and brackets
- Garden, agricultural or marine equipment
- Drone frames and RC vehicle parts
- Signage and outdoor display items
How to print ASA
ASA prints at 240–260 °C (some brands go up to 280 °C — follow the spool label). Bed temperature should be 90–110 °C. Like ABS, ASA benefits strongly from a heated enclosure; a chamber temperature of around 60 °C is considered ideal for larger prints. Disable the part-cooling fan completely or keep it very low — rapid cooling is the primary cause of warping and layer cracking. Good bed adhesion is essential: PEI with a thin layer of glue stick, or dedicated ABS/ASA adhesion sprays, are the most reliable options. Print in a ventilated area — ASA produces VOCs similar to ABS.
Advantages
- Excellent UV and weathering resistance
- Comparable toughness to ABS
- Good heat resistance (similar HDT to ABS)
- Can be acetone-smoothed like ABS
- Better colour retention than ABS outdoors
Limitations
- Warps without an enclosure
- Emits VOCs — ventilation or filtration required
- Advanced difficulty — not suitable for beginners
- Pricier than ABS for the same filament weight