JIS ADC12 (Al-Si-Cu, about A383 / EN AC-46100) high-pressure die-casting alloy, as cast; physical properties from Daiki Aluminium Industry (ADC12 ingot producer) measured values; modulus from S.S.Aluminum (ADC12 ingot producer) standard values.
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 Aluminum ADC12 stronger than FDM ASA?
Aluminum ADC12 is stronger: its yield strength is 149 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (4.03x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or FDM ASA?
FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 2,680 kg/m³ for Aluminum ADC12.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or FDM ASA?
Aluminum ADC12 is stiffer: Young's modulus 79.8 GPa against 2.45 GPa for FDM ASA, so the same part in Aluminum ADC12 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or FDM ASA?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum ADC12 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie; FDM ASA is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum ADC12
FDM ASA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
12.8x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.24x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
25% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.58x heavier
Strong beam
about equal
about equal
Strong panel or plate
27% heavier
lighter
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, Aluminum ADC12 or FDM ASA?
Aluminum ADC12 conducts heat better: 125 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum ADC12 expands less: 21 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.