Comparison

ASA FDM Filament vs PLA

A side-by-side comparison of Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Filament for FDM and Polylactic Acid.

Physical

Density
1.07 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.1-0.3 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
Moderate (0.4-0.7%)
0.3 – 0.5 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus
2.5-3.0 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
45-55 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
4-7 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
3-6 kJ/m²
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
80 MPa

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature
90-100 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
230-250 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
70-80 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
80-90 °C @ 0.45 MPa
55 °C

Electrical

Dielectric Constant
3.0-3.2
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹³-10¹⁵ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
18-25 MV/m

Chemical resistance

Acids
Good resistance to dilute acids
Fair
Bases
Moderate resistance to weak bases
Poor
Solvents
Attacked by ketones, esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons
UV Resistance
Excellent
Poor
Alcohols
Fair
Hydrolysis
Poor

Sustainability

Recyclability
Recyclable (ABS stream, though less common)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate to High
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
100 %