Materials / Compare

FDM ASA vs. Plastic PEEK

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

FDM ASA3D printed (FDM)
Plastic PEEKBulk polymer (molded or machined)
MechanicalFDM ASAPlastic PEEK
Yield strengthnot given (tensile used)98MPa1
Ultimate tensile strength37MPa2not stated (yield given)
Compressive strengthnot sourced125MPa1
Flexural strength65MPa2165MPa1
Elongation at break9.2%225%12.72x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)2.45GPa24GPa11.63x stiffer
Density1,050kg/m³224% lighter1,300kg/m³1
Strength to weight35.2kN·m/kg75.4kN·m/kg2.14x higher
Stiffness to weight2.33MN·m/kg3.08MN·m/kg32% higher
Poisson's rationot sourced0.383
Shear modulusnot sourced1.45GPa
Bulk modulusnot sourced5.56GPa
Speed of sound1,528m/s1,754m/s15% faster
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcretePCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30FDM ASAPlastic PEEK
Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30FDM ASAPlastic PEEK
Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight
ThermalFDM ASAPlastic PEEK
Thermal conductivitybase material0.17W/m·K40.29W/m·K11.71x more heat through a fin
Thermal expansionbase material80–110µm/m·K455µm/m·K1
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing475µm growth275µm growth1.73x less
Specific heatnot sourced2,200J/kg·K5
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)not sourced0.101mm²/s
Thermal shock resistancenot sourced80.1W/m
Melting pointnot sourced343°C1
Glass transitionnot sourcedonset143°C1
Max service temperatureHDT 1.8 MPa92°C2UL 746B RTI240°C1
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30FDM ASAPlastic PEEK
Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight
0.111010010100Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Thermal expansion (µm/m·K)Plastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPlywoodPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30FDM ASAPlastic PEEK
Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources5 documents: Victrex, Bambu Lab, 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 PEEK
Victrex PEEK 450G (unreinforced, injection moulded), Victrex TDS rev. March 2026; Poisson from Victrex fluid-management flyer (2020-07)
  1. 1
    VICTREX PEEK 450G Technical Data SheetVictrexPlastic PEEK · Yield strength: typical, tensile yieldPlastic PEEK · Compressive strength: typical, 23 CPlastic PEEK · Flexural strength: typical, flexural stress at yield, 23 CPlastic PEEK · Elongation at break: typical, at breakPlastic PEEK · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical (nominal)Plastic PEEK · Density: typical (crystalline)Plastic PEEK · Thermal conductivity: typical, average, 23 CPlastic PEEK · Thermal expansion: average of flow/cross-flow, below Tg (<143 C)Plastic PEEK · Melting point: typical, DSCPlastic PEEK · Glass transition: onset (midpoint 150 C)Plastic PEEK · Max service temperature: UL 746B RTI, mechanical strength (continuous use index)
  2. 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. 3
    VICTREX PEEK for Use in Fluid Management (2020)VictrexPlastic PEEK · Poisson's ratio: typical
  4. 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. 5
    VICTREX PEEK 450G Technical Data Sheet (2012)Victrexarchived copyPlastic PEEK · Specific heat: typical, 23 °C, DSC (Victrex PEEK 450G TDS, revision Jul 2012)

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 PEEK?

Plastic PEEK is stronger: its yield strength is 98 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (2.65x).

Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic PEEK?

FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 1,300 kg/m³ for Plastic PEEK.

Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic PEEK?

Plastic PEEK is stiffer: Young's modulus 4 GPa against 2.45 GPa for FDM ASA, so the same part in Plastic PEEK deflects less under the same load.

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

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

Part that must beFDM ASAPlastic PEEK
Stiff rod or tie (tension)32% heavierlighter
Stiff beam (bending)3% heavierlighter
Stiff panel or platelighter5% heavier
Strong rod or tie2.14x heavierlighter
Strong beam1.55x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate31% heavierlighter

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 is more ductile, FDM ASA or Plastic PEEK?

Plastic PEEK stretches further before it breaks: 25% elongation at break against 9.2% for FDM ASA.

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, FDM ASA or Plastic PEEK?

Plastic PEEK conducts heat better: 0.29 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PEEK expands less: 55 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for FDM ASA.

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