Materials / Compare
FDM ASA vs. FDM Polycarbonate
Compare FDM ASA vs. FDM Polycarbonate 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) | 53.3MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 37MPasourcetypical | 53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | 65MPasourcetypical | 89.4MPasourcetypical38% stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 9.2%sourcetypical | 9.2%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.45GPasourcetypical | 2.39GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 1,050kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange |
| Strength to weight | 35.2kN·m/kg | 44.8kN·m/kg27% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.33MN·m/kg16% higher | 2.01MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 0.867GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 3.33GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,528m/s | 1,418m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typical | 0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range | 65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth | 325µm growth46% less |
| Specific heat | not sourced | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 42.5W/m |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 108°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 92°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | 105°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 PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); 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 (file v5.00), 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 FDM Polycarbonate are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is FDM ASA stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (44%).
Which is lighter, FDM ASA or FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.
Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or FDM Polycarbonate?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM ASA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | FDM ASA | FDM Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 16% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 15% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 14% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 27% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 13% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 6% 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 FDM Polycarbonate?
FDM Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
FDM Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.