Materials / Compare
FDM ASA vs. Plastic Polycarbonate
Compare FDM ASA vs. Plastic 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) | 65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 37MPasourcetypical | 65MPasourcetypical, stress at break |
| Flexural strength | 65MPasourcetypical | 97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength |
| Elongation at break | 9.2%sourcetypical | 125%sourcetypical, strain at break |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.45GPasourcetypical | 2.4GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 1,050kg/m³sourcetypical14% lighter | 1,200kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 35.2kN·m/kg | 54.2kN·m/kg1.54x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.33MN·m/kg17% higher | 2MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 0.87GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 3.33GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,528m/s | 1,414m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typical | 0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 C |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range | 65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth | 325µm growth46% less |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766 |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 0.142mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 51.7W/m |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min |
| Max service temperature | 92°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | 125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm |
| 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. | Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values |
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 FDM ASA stronger than Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (1.76x).
Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic Polycarbonate?
FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 1,200 kg/m³ for Plastic Polycarbonate.
Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic Polycarbonate?
FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 2.4 GPa for Plastic Polycarbonate, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or Plastic 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; Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | FDM ASA | Plastic Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 17% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 15% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 15% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 1.54x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 27% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 16% 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 Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.