FDM ASA vs. Plastic HDPE

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

FDM ASA3D printed (FDM)

Plastic HDPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical	FDM ASA	Plastic HDPE
Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	24MPa1
Ultimate tensile strength	37MPa2	not stated (yield given)
Flexural strength	65MPa2	not sourced
Elongation at break	9.2%2	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.45GPa22.72x stiffer	0.9GPa1
Density	1,050kg/m³2	950kg/m³1
Strength to weight	35.2kN·m/kg39% higher	25.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.33MN·m/kg2.46x higher	0.947MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	base material0.4–0.453
Shear modulus	not sourced	0.316GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	2GPa
Speed of sound	1,528m/s1.57x faster	973m/s

Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight

Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight

Thermal	FDM ASA	Plastic HDPE
Thermal conductivity	base material0.17W/m·K4	base material0.4–0.49W/m·K3
Thermal expansion	base material80–110µm/m·K4	base material120µm/m·K3
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth26% less	600µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	base material2,250J/kg·K3
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.208mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	56.9W/m
Max service temperature	HDT 1.8 MPa92°C2	not sourced

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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Sources4 documents: LyondellBasell, Bambu Lab, INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, 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.
Plastic HDPE: LyondellBasell Hostalen 23050 B high density polyethylene, typical ISO values

1
Hostalen 23050 B Product DataLyondellBasellPlastic HDPE · Yield strength: typical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527Plastic HDPE · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527Plastic HDPE · Density: typical, ISO 1183
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
Typical Engineering Properties of High Density PolyethyleneINEOS Olefins & Polymers USAarchived copyPlastic HDPE · Poisson's ratio: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Thermal conductivity: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Thermal expansion: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Specific heat: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
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

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 is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Mechanical

Is FDM ASA stronger than Plastic HDPE?

FDM ASA is stronger: its tensile strength is 37 MPa against yield strength 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (1.54x).

Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic HDPE?

Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 1,050 kg/m³ for FDM ASA.

Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic HDPE?

FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.

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

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 HDPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2.46x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	49% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	26% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	39% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	21% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	12% 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).

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, FDM ASA or Plastic HDPE?

Plastic HDPE conducts heat better: 0.445 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 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.