FDM ASA vs. Plastic Polycarbonate

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

FDM ASA3D printed (FDM)

Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical	FDM ASA	Plastic Polycarbonate
Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	65MPa1
Ultimate tensile strength	37MPa2	65MPa1
Flexural strength	65MPa2	97MPa1
Elongation at break	9.2%2	125%113.6x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.45GPa2	2.4GPa1
Density	1,050kg/m³214% lighter	1,200kg/m³1
Strength to weight	35.2kN·m/kg	54.2kN·m/kg1.54x higher
Stiffness to weight	2.33MN·m/kg17% higher	2MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.383
Shear modulus	not sourced	0.87GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,528m/s8% faster	1,414m/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 Polycarbonate
Thermal conductivity	base material0.17W/m·K4	0.2W/m·K118% more heat through a fin
Thermal expansion	base material80–110µm/m·K4	65µm/m·K1
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	325µm growth46% less
Specific heat	not sourced	1,172J/kg·K5
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.142mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	51.7W/m
Glass transition	not sourced	144°C1
Max service temperature	HDT 1.8 MPa92°C2	UL 746B RTI125°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: Covestro, Bambu Lab, INEOS Styrolution, Bayer MaterialScience

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 Polycarbonate: Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values

1
Makrolon 2405 Technical Data SheetCovestroPlastic Polycarbonate · Yield strength: typical, tensile yieldPlastic Polycarbonate · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, stress at breakPlastic Polycarbonate · Flexural strength: typical, flexural strengthPlastic Polycarbonate · Elongation at break: typical, strain at breakPlastic Polycarbonate · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalPlastic Polycarbonate · Density: typicalPlastic Polycarbonate · Thermal conductivity: typical, through-plane, 23 CPlastic Polycarbonate · Thermal expansion: typical, 23-55 C, parallel and normalPlastic Polycarbonate · Glass transition: typical, DSC 10 C/minPlastic Polycarbonate · Max service temperature: UL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
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 copyPlastic Polycarbonate · Poisson's ratio: typical, polycarbonate family (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 Data Sheet, ASTM valuesBayer MaterialSciencearchived copyPlastic Polycarbonate · Specific heat: typical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766

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 Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against tensile strength 37 MPa for FDM ASA (1.76x).

Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic Polycarbonate?

FDM ASA is lighter: 1,050 kg/m³ against 1,200 kg/m³ for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic Polycarbonate?

FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 2.4 GPa for Plastic Polycarbonate, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or Plastic 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; Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	FDM ASA	Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	17% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	15% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	15% heavier
Strong rod or tie	1.54x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	27% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	16% 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).

Which is more ductile, FDM ASA or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate stretches further before it breaks: 125% elongation at break against 9.2% for FDM ASA.

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, FDM ASA or Plastic Polycarbonate?

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

Which expands less with temperature?

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