Materials / Compare
FDM ASA vs. Plastic Polypropylene
Compare FDM ASA vs. Plastic Polypropylene 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) | 33MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527 |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 37MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Flexural strength | 65MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 9.2%sourcetypical | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.45GPasourcetypical | 1.45GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527 |
| Density | 1,050kg/m³sourcetypical | 900kg/m³sourcetypical, 23 °C ISO 1183-1 |
| Strength to weight | 35.2kN·m/kg | 36.7kN·m/kg4% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.33MN·m/kg45% higher | 1.61MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.42sourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 0.511GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 3.02GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,528m/s | 1,269m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typical | 0.17–0.22W/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range | 80–100µm/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth | 450µm growth6% less |
| Specific heat | not sourced | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 28.6W/m |
| Max service temperature | 92°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | 90°CsourceHDT 0.45 MPa (ISO 75B), unannealed |
| 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. | LyondellBasell Moplen HP501H polypropylene homopolymer (general purpose), typical ISO 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 Polypropylene?
FDM ASA is stronger: its tensile strength is 37 MPa against yield strength 33 MPa for Plastic Polypropylene (12%).
Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic Polypropylene?
Plastic Polypropylene is lighter: 900 kg/m³ against 1,050 kg/m³ for FDM ASA.
Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic Polypropylene?
FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 1.45 GPa for Plastic Polypropylene, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or Plastic Polypropylene?
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 Polypropylene is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | FDM ASA | Plastic Polypropylene |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 45% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 11% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 4% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 8% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 10% 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 Polypropylene?
Plastic Polypropylene conducts heat better: 0.195 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic Polypropylene expands less: 90 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.