ASA Filament Comprehensive Guide (For Beginners)

Introduction

Whether you’re looking to create garden fixtures, automotive parts, or outdoor signage, ASA filament is a fantastic choice due to its UV resistance, mechanical strength, and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.

This article will provide you with all the information you need to know about ASA filament and its various applications. Also we had listed the most popular ASA brands for your reference.

What is ASA Filament?

ASA filament, short for Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, is a type of 3D printing filament that serves as a substitute for ABS filament. It is an amorphous thermoplastic polymer that offers several advantages over other filament types.

ASA filament is particularly known for its exceptional resistance to UV rays, making it an ideal choice for outdoor applications. Unlike ABS filament, ASA filament does not yellow easily and can withstand prolonged exposure to the sun without deteriorating or losing strength.

Read: ASA vs ABS: The Battle of 3D Printing Filaments

ASA filament finds extensive use in various industries, including automotive manufacturing, due to its mechanical robustness and high resistance to chemicals and water. It is also commonly used for creating outdoor fixtures, garden equipment, housing components, and even underwater applications. It also offers a matte finish similar to ABS filament.

Advantages of ASA Filament

Here are some of the key benefits of using ASA filament:

Superior Weather Resistance: ASA filament is known for its exceptional resistance to UV radiation and harsh weather conditions. Unlike other filaments, ASA maintains its color and structural integrity even after prolonged exposure to sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor applications.

Chemical Resistance: ASA filament is highly resistant to chemicals, making it suitable for use in environments where exposure to corrosive substances is a concern. This property makes ASA filament a reliable choice for applications such as pump junctions or underwater usage.

Mechanical Strength: ASA filament exhibits excellent mechanical strength, making it suitable for applications that require high resistance. It can withstand impact and stress, making it a reliable choice for items that need to withstand heavy use or external forces.

Dimensional Stability: ASA filament offers superb dimensional stability, with minimal warping and high tolerance. This ensures that your 3D prints maintain their shape and accuracy, resulting in high-quality finished products.

Good Finish: ASA filament produces prints with a matte finish, similar to ABS filament. This makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, including decorative items or parts that require a smooth and aesthetically pleasing surface.

Higher Thermal Resistance: ASA filament has a higher thermal resistance compared to ABS filament. With a melting temperature range of 250 to 260ºC, ASA filament can withstand higher temperatures without losing its structural integrity.

Longevity: ASA filament has excellent durability and longevity, thanks to its resistance to yellowing, deterioration, and loss of strength. This makes it a reliable choice for items that need to withstand outdoor conditions over an extended period.

Disadvantages of ASA Filament

While ASA filament offers numerous benefits for 3D printing, it is important to consider its disadvantages as well. Here are some key drawbacks to keep in mind:

Toxic Fumes: One downside to using ASA filament is that it can emit potentially toxic fumes during the printing process. It is crucial for 3D printing enthusiasts to prioritize safety by using high-quality masks and ensuring that the printing area is well-ventilated.

Read: Is 3D Printing Filament Toxic? (Short Answer)

Higher Cost: ASA filament tends to be more expensive compared to other filaments available in the market. Additionally, its lower market availability can further increase its pricing factor. It is important to consider the budgetary implications when choosing ASA filament for your projects.

Higher Energy Consumption: ASA filament requires a higher temperature for the extruder to facilitate proper printing. This leads to increased energy utilization and higher electricity bills. It is important to factor in the energy requirements when using ASA filament.

Limited Compatibility: ASA filament may not be suitable for all types of extruders. It is important to ensure that your 3D printer is compatible with ASA filament before attempting to use it. Compatibility issues can affect the quality of your prints and may lead to wasted time and resources.

Tips for Printing with ASA Filament

When it comes to printing with ASA filament, there are a few key tips to keep in mind to ensure successful and high-quality prints. ASA filament can be a bit trickier to work with compared to other filaments, but with the right techniques, you can achieve great results. Here are some tips to help you get the best prints with ASA filament:

Optimize your printer settings: ASA filament requires higher printing temperatures compared to other filaments. Make sure to adjust your printer’s hot end temperature to the recommended range of 220°C to 260°C. Additionally, set your heated bed temperature between 80°C and 100°C to prevent warping and promote adhesion.

Use an enclosure: ASA filament is sensitive to temperature changes and drafts. To maintain a stable printing environment, it is recommended to use a 3D printer with an enclosure. This will help trap heat and prevent any fluctuations that could affect the print quality.

Disable the part cooling fan: Unlike other filaments, ASA does not benefit from active cooling during the printing process. In fact, using a part cooling fan can lead to warping and curling. It is best to turn off the part cooling fan to ensure proper layer adhesion and minimize the risk of print defects.

Ensure proper bed adhesion: To prevent your ASA prints from lifting or detaching from the print bed, it is crucial to have proper bed adhesion. Consider using tape or spray to enhance adhesion and create a strong bond between the print and the bed.

Print in a well-ventilated area: ASA filament can emit fumes during the printing process, which may be potentially toxic. It is important to print in a well-ventilated area or use a 3D printer with a built-in air filtration system. Additionally, wearing a high-quality mask is recommended to protect yourself from any harmful fumes.

By following these tips, you can optimize your printing process and achieve excellent results with ASA filament.

The Most Popular ASA Filament Brands

Polymaker ASA Filament

The Polymaker ASA Filament 1.75mm in Black is designed for outdoor and functional part printing, featuring exceptional weather resistance and durability.

This 1kg spool of ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) combines the mechanical properties of ABS filament with enhanced UV resistance and resistance to environmental stress cracking, making it ideal for applications such as RC planes or car accessories that are exposed to the elements.

elegoo ASA Filament

The Polymaker ASA Filament, designed for 3D printing, merges the resilience of ABS filament with enhanced weather resistance, making it ideal for outdoor applications like RC planes and car accessories.

Its standout features include UV resistance, environmental stress crack resistance, and a high heat tolerance up to 100°C, ensuring durability for functional parts. The filament offers a matte finish for aesthetically pleasing prints and recommends specific settings for optimal printing results, such as a nozzle temperature of 250°C.

It comes in a 1kg spool with a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm, packaged in fully recycled materials, highlighting its eco-friendly approach.

FLASHFORGE ASA Filament

The FLASHFORGE ASA Filament is a 1.75mm, black, 1kg spool designed for 3D printing, boasting a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.02mm. It enhances the durability and UV resistance of traditional ABS filament, making it an excellent choice for outdoor functional parts like RC planes and car accessories.

This filament stands out for its high temperature resistance, maintaining integrity up to 93°C without deformation. Engineered for ease of use, it features a clog-free and bubble-free design, ensuring a smooth printing experience.

The filament is thoroughly dried, vacuum-sealed with desiccants, and manually inspected to prevent tangling and line breaking.

ANYCUBIC ASA Filament

The ANYCUBIC ASA Filament is a 1.75mm, gray, 1kg spool designed specifically for 3D printing, offering superior weather resistance and heat resilience, ideal for outdoor functional parts.

With a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.02mm, it ensures high compatibility with most FDM 3D printers. This filament excels in resisting sunlight, water, and aging, maintaining the integrity of printed models even after prolonged outdoor exposure.

It boasts a higher heat deformation temperature up to 90°C, significantly outperforming ABS, PETG, and PLA, making it more stable under high temperatures. The ASA filament is also noted for its excellent mechanical performance, capable of enduring moderate impacts without deformation or breakage, perfect for engineering and outdoor parts.

Creality ASA Filament

The Creality ASA Filament, a 1.75mm, 1kg spool, is designed for 3D printing, offering exceptional UV, aging, and corrosion resistance, ensuring models retain their appearance even after prolonged sun exposure.

Its superior toughness and impact strength make it perfect for outdoor use and structural applications. With an impressive heat resistance, it maintains form at temperatures up to 100°C. This filament enables high-speed printing up to 350mm/s, guaranteeing smooth, consistent output without clogging.

Compatible with a wide range of 3D printers, including various models from Creality, Anycubic, ELEGOO, Bambu, Ankermake, Flashforge, Prusa, Monoprice, FLSUN, Artillery, and Qidi, it demonstrates versatility across different printing platforms, making it a suitable choice for a broad spectrum of printing needs.

FilaBees ASA Filament

The FilaBees ASA Filament is a 1.75mm, 1kg spool, specifically designed for 3D printing with features like heat and weather resistance, high UV stability, and impact modification. Its sparkle storm gray color offers an excellent matte finish, enhancing the quality and appearance of prints.

Engineered for outdoor and industrial applications, such as exterior mirrors and durable casings, it ensures minimal dimensional tolerance and low warping, promoting consistent feeding and stable prints. The filament comes in vacuum-sealed packaging with a desiccant bag to maintain optimal conditions.

FilaBees emphasizes easy handling and a high-quality surface finish, with a commitment to customer satisfaction, offering a 24-hour response time, a one-month free trial, and a 30-day money-back guarantee for those not satisfied.