ABS vs ASA: which should you choose?
ABS and ASA are closely related: equally strong and heat-resistant, but ASA is made to stay outdoors. The big difference is UV resistance.
| Property | ABS | ASA |
|---|---|---|
| UV / outdoor | Discolours and weakens in the sun | UV-resistant, holds up outdoors |
| Strength | Strong and stiff | Comparable |
| Heat resistance | ±100 °C | ±100 °C |
| Printability | Warping, enclosure | Same, slightly more stable |
| Fumes | Strong fumes | Less strong, still ventilation |
| Typical use | Enclosures, indoors | Outdoor applications, automotive |
When ABS
Choose ABS for strong parts that stay indoors, where UV plays no role.
When ASA
Choose ASA as soon as the part is used outdoors or in the sun — it keeps its colour and strength where ABS discolours and grows brittle.
Our take
Same strength, but does it go outside? Then ASA is the clear choice over ABS.
More comparisons
- PETG vs ABS: which should you choose? — PETG and ABS are both strong, functional filaments.
- PLA vs ABS: which should you choose? — PLA and ABS sit at the two extremes: PLA is the easiest and cleanest to print, ABS the strongest and most heat-resistant but the hardest.