Materials / Compare
FDM ASA vs. Plastic UHMWPE
Compare FDM ASA vs. Plastic UHMWPE 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) | 20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 37MPasourcetypical | 43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min |
| Flexural strength | 65MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 9.2%sourcetypical | 465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.45GPasourcetypical | 0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min |
| Density | 1,050kg/m³sourcetypical | 930kg/m³sourcetypical13% lighter |
| Strength to weight | 35.2kN·m/kg1.64x higher | 21.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.33MN·m/kg3.29x higher | 0.71MN·m/kg |
| 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 | 842m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typical | 0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE) |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range | 200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth2.11x less | 1,000µm growth |
| Specific heat | not sourced | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | not sourced |
| Melting point | not sourced | 130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min |
| Max service temperature | 92°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa | 80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature |
| 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. | Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named) |
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 UHMWPE?
FDM ASA is stronger: its tensile strength is 37 MPa against yield strength 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (1.85x).
Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,050 kg/m³ for FDM ASA.
Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic UHMWPE?
FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or Plastic UHMWPE?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM ASA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | FDM ASA | Plastic UHMWPE |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 3.29x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 1.71x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 37% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 1.64x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 33% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 20% 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 Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
FDM ASA expands less: 95 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.