Materials / Compare
FDM ASA vs. Plastic PLA
Compare FDM ASA vs. Plastic PLA 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) | 52.5MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 37MPasourcetypical | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | 65MPasourcetypical | 96.8MPasourcetypical49% stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 9.2%sourcetypical18% more ductile | 7.8%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.45GPasourcetypical | 3.25GPasourcetypical33% stiffer |
| Density | 1,050kg/m³sourcetypical18% lighter | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 35.2kN·m/kg | 42.3kN·m/kg20% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.33MN·m/kg | 2.62MN·m/kg12% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 1,528m/s | 1,619m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typical | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth | not sourced |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 0.0874mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | not sourced |
| Melting point | not sourced | 152°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 59.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 92°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | 58.8°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 PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; 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 dated 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 PLA are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is FDM ASA stronger than Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is stronger: its yield strength is 52.5 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (42%).
Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic PLA?
FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.
Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.25 GPa against 2.45 GPa for FDM ASA, so the same part in Plastic PLA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or Plastic PLA?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM ASA is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic PLA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie, strong beam.
| Part that must be | FDM ASA | Plastic PLA |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 12% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 3% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 7% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 20% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 7% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | about equal | about equal |
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 is more ductile, FDM ASA or Plastic PLA?
FDM ASA stretches further before it breaks: 9.2% elongation at break against 7.8% for Plastic PLA.
Which conducts heat better, FDM ASA or Plastic PLA?
FDM ASA conducts heat better: 0.17 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.