Materials / Compare
FDM ASA vs. Steel
Compare FDM ASA vs. Steel 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) | 385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 37MPasourcetypical | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| Flexural strength | 65MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 9.2%sourcetypical | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.45GPasourcetypical | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 1,050kg/m³sourcetypical | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 35.2kN·m/kg | 49kN·m/kg39% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.33MN·m/kg | 25.5MN·m/kg10.9x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 76.9GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,528m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typical | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth | 60µm growth7.92x less |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 13mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 5,390W/m |
| Max service temperature | 92°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | not sourced |
| 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. | Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards. |
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 Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (10.4x).
Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Steel?
FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel.
Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 2.45 GPa for FDM ASA, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or Steel?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM ASA is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Steel is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie.
| Part that must be | FDM ASA | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 10.9x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 21% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 1.72x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 39% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | lighter | 1.57x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.32x heavier |
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 Steel?
Steel conducts heat better: 48 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.