FDM ASA vs. FDM Polycarbonate

Compare FDM ASA vs. FDM Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

FDM ASA3D printed (FDM)

Mechanical	FDM ASA	FDM Polycarbonate
Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	53.3MPa1
Ultimate tensile strength	37MPa2	53.3MPa144% stronger
Flexural strength	65MPa2	89.4MPa138% stronger in bending
Elongation at break	9.2%2	9.2%1
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.45GPa2	2.39GPa1
Density	1,050kg/m³2	range1,180–1,200kg/m³1
Strength to weight	35.2kN·m/kg	44.8kN·m/kg27% higher
Stiffness to weight	2.33MN·m/kg16% higher	2.01MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	base material0.383
Shear modulus	not sourced	0.867GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,528m/s8% faster	1,418m/s

Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight

Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight

Thermal	FDM ASA	FDM Polycarbonate
Thermal conductivity	base material0.17W/m·K4	base material0.2W/m·K518% more heat through a fin
Thermal expansion	base material80–110µm/m·K4	base material65µm/m·K5
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	325µm growth46% less
Specific heat	not sourced	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	42.5W/m
Glass transition	not sourced	108°C1
Max service temperature	HDT 1.8 MPa92°C2	HDT 0.455 MPa105°C1

Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight

Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated

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Sources5 documents: UltiMaker, Bambu Lab, Covestro, INEOS Styrolution

FDM ASA: 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.
FDM Polycarbonate: Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.

1
Ultimaker PC Technical Data Sheet, v5.00UltiMakerarchived copyFDM Polycarbonate · Yield strength: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, peak stress (= stress at yield)FDM Polycarbonate · Flexural strength: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Elongation at break: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Density: rangeFDM Polycarbonate · Glass transition: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Max service temperature: HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
2
Bambu ASA Technical Data Sheet, V3.0Bambu LabFDM ASA · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalFDM ASA · Flexural strength: typicalFDM ASA · Elongation at break: typicalFDM ASA · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalFDM ASA · Density: typicalFDM ASA · Max service temperature: HDT 1.8 MPa
3
Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroarchived copyFDM Polycarbonate · Poisson's ratio: base material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
4
Luran S 777K (ASA) Product Data SheetINEOS StyrolutionFDM ASA · Thermal conductivity: base material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typicalFDM ASA · Thermal expansion: base material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range
5
Makrolon 2405 Technical Data SheetCovestroFDM Polycarbonate · Thermal conductivity: base material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °CFDM Polycarbonate · Thermal expansion: base material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel

Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

FDM ASA and FDM Polycarbonate are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Mechanical

Is FDM ASA stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (44%).

Which is lighter, FDM ASA or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or FDM Polycarbonate?

For the same stiffness or strength: FDM ASA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	FDM ASA	FDM Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	16% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	15% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	14% heavier
Strong rod or tie	27% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	13% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	6% 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).

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, FDM ASA or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.

Which expands less with temperature?

FDM Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.