Materials / Compare
FDM ASA vs. Plastic Nylon
Compare FDM ASA vs. Plastic Nylon strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | not given (tensile used) | 63.1MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 37MPasourcetypical | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | 65MPasourcetypical | 82.9MPasourcetypical28% stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 9.2%sourcetypical | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.45GPasourcetypical | 2.33GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 1,050kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 35.2kN·m/kg | 55.4kN·m/kg1.57x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.33MN·m/kg14% higher | 2.04MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 0.833GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 3.89GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,528m/s | 1,430m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typical | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range | 98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth5% less | 500µm growth |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 0.17mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 53.6W/m |
| Melting point | not sourced | 188°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 55.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 92°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | 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. | Ultimaker Nylon, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat), conditioned >=24 h at room temperature; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v2.00, April 20, 2022. |
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 and Plastic Nylon are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is FDM ASA stronger than Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (1.71x).
Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic Nylon?
FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.
Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic Nylon?
FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 2.33 GPa for Plastic Nylon, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or Plastic Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM ASA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic Nylon is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | FDM ASA | Plastic Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 14% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 11% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 10% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 1.57x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 31% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 20% 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, FDM ASA or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
FDM ASA expands less: 95 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.