ASA: density, print temperature and UV resistance
ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) is a close relative of ABS, developed specifically for outdoor parts. It prints almost the same but handles ultraviolet far better: it doesn't yellow or turn brittle after months in the sun.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.07 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle temperature | 240–260°C |
| Bed temperature | 90–110°C |
| Part cooling | off or minimal |
| Shrinkage | significant — enclosure needed |
| Enclosure required | yes |
When to use it
- Outdoor signage, mounts, sensor housings — anything permanently in the sun.
- Exterior automotive parts — the combination of heat and UV resistance.
- As an ABS replacement wherever the part's appearance after months of use matters.
When to pick something else
- The part will live indoors only — no point paying extra for UV resistance; take ABS or PETG.
- No heated enclosure — printing ASA without one warps just like ABS, only with a pricier material.
Pros and cons
Pros: UV resistance far beyond ABS — no yellowing or sun-induced brittleness; impact strength and heat resistance similar to ABS.
Cons: needs an enclosure just as strictly as ABS; printing odor is present too, though milder; usually costs more than ABS for comparable printing difficulty.
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How it affects your print cost
Energy-wise ASA is close to ABS: a 90–110°C bed and a nozzle 10–20°C hotter than ABS/PETG. Its 1.07 g/cm³ density sits between ABS (1.04) and PETG (1.27), so material consumption in grams for the same model lands between the two.