Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. FDM ASA

Compare Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. FDM ASA strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

FDM ASA3D printed (FDM)

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	45MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	37MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	65MPasourcetypical, 23 °C	65MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, 23 °C	9.2%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.3GPasourcetypical	2.45GPasourcetypical
Density	1,040kg/m³sourcetypical	1,050kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	43.3kN·m/kg23% higher	35.2kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.21MN·m/kg	2.33MN·m/kg6% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcetypical, ABS family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	not sourced
Shear modulus	0.827GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	3.48GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,487m/s	1,528m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcetypical	0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typical
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcerange	80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	475µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	21.4W/m	not sourced
Max service temperature	94°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (annealed 4 h/80 °C)	92°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 general-purpose injection-molding ABS, ISO typical values (TDS revision 08/01/2022)	Bambu Lab ASA, TDS V3.0, printed specimens X-Y; nozzle 260 °C, bed 80 °C, 200 mm/s, 100% infill; annealed and dried 80 °C for 12 h before testing.

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

FDM ASA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) stronger than FDM ASA?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is stronger: its yield strength is 45 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (22%).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or FDM ASA?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter: 1,040 kg/m³ against 1,050 kg/m³ for FDM ASA.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or FDM ASA?

FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 2.3 GPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection), so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or FDM ASA?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; FDM ASA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)	FDM ASA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	6% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	2% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	1% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	23% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	15% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	11% heavier

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or FDM ASA?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) conducts heat better: 0.17 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) expands less: 95 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density