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ASA filament

UV and weather resistant filament for outdoor parts that keep their colour and shape.

ASA filament is the choice for 3D prints that live outdoors. It is very similar to ABS, but resists UV light, rain and moisture, so colour and shape are preserved. Fiberlogy ASA keeps its shape up to around 94 °C and smells less than ABS while printing. Below you will find ASA in solid colours, with a glitter effect and as ASA Matte. Below the products you can read how to print ASA and what to use it for. Read more…

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What is ASA filament?

ASA stands for acrylonitrile styrene acrylate. It is related to ABS, but contains acrylate rubber instead of butadiene rubber. This makes ASA resistant to UV light and weathering: where ABS discolours and turns brittle in the sun, ASA keeps its colour and strength. Fiberlogy ASA also resists moisture and keeps its shape up to around 94 °C.

ASA or ABS?

Both are strong and more heat-resistant than PLA and PETG. ASA is easier to print: it shrinks less, warps less readily and gives off less unpleasant odour. Choose ASA for anything that goes outdoors or stands in the sun. ABS is worth considering if you are looking for transparent colours, 2.85 mm filament or an ESD variant. You will find all types under ABS & ASA filament.

Which ASA should you choose?

TypeSuitable for
ASAOutdoor parts in solid colours, with a glitter effect (Onyx, Vertigo) or in a steel grey colour (Inox).
ASA MatteVisible parts with a matte surface on which layer lines show less.
ASA+AFASA with aramid fibre: stiffer, more wear-resistant and more dimensionally stable, for technical outdoor parts.

Printing ASA: the right settings

  • Nozzle: 255–270 °C, for all Fiberlogy ASA, including ASA Matte and ASA+AF.
  • Print bed: 90–110 °C.
  • Adhesion: a clean print bed and a thin layer of adhesive stop corners from lifting.
  • Cooling: little or none. Too much cold air causes cracks between layers.
  • Enclosure: not required according to Fiberlogy. For large or tall prints, a closed printer or enclosure does help against warping and cracking caused by draughts.
  • Ventilation: ASA gives off fumes while printing. Place the printer in a well-ventilated room.

The exact temperatures are listed with each product. Something going wrong? Our article on solving 3D printing problems covers the most common problems and how to fix them.

Properties of ASA: the pros and cons

Pros

  • Resists UV light, rain and moisture: colour and shape are preserved
  • Keeps its shape up to around 94 °C
  • Strong and impact-resistant
  • Less shrinkage and less odour than ABS
  • Easy to post-process: sanding, painting and smoothing with acetone

Cons

  • Prints hotter than PLA and PETG, with a print bed up to 110 °C
  • Gives off fumes, so ventilation is needed
  • Large prints can warp without an enclosure

Uses of ASA

  • Home and garden: outdoor parts and decoration, tools and everyday items.
  • Car and motorbike: accessories, mounts and replacement parts.
  • Sport: protectors, accessories and spare parts.
  • Electronics: enclosures for outdoor sensors and cameras, and parts for 3D printers.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do you need an enclosed printer for ASA?

    Not necessarily. Fiberlogy ASA shrinks less than ABS and, according to the manufacturer, prints well on an open printer too. With large or tall parts, temperature differences can still cause the bottom layers to lift or crack. A closed printer or an enclosure keeps the heat in and reduces the chance of failed prints.

  • Is printing ASA harmful?

    Like ABS, ASA gives off fumes while printing, including styrene, and very fine particles. It smells less strongly than ABS, but still place the printer in a well-ventilated room and not in a room where you spend a lot of time, such as a bedroom. A closed printer with a filter or extraction keeps the fumes contained best.

  • Can you smooth ASA with acetone?

    Yes. ASA dissolves in acetone, just like ABS. With acetone vapour you smooth the surface so that the layer lines disappear, and with a little acetone you can glue separate parts together. Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated room and keep acetone away from flames and hot surfaces, as it is highly flammable.

  • Is ASA suitable for the Bambu Lab AMS?

    Most colours of Fiberlogy ASA and ASA Matte are suitable for the Bambu Lab AMS. Each product shows whether this applies to that colour.

  • Can ASA handle the heat in a car?

    Fiberlogy ASA keeps its shape up to around 94 °C and is UV resistant. That is enough for most parts in and around the car. On the dashboard behind the windscreen it can get very hot in full summer sun, though; test a part there first before relying on it.