ASA 3D printing: made for the Australian sun
UV stable, heat resistant and tough. ASA is the material for anything that lives on a car, a boat, a fence or a roof. It's also the one to sand and paint.
In a nutshell
- Cost
- $$ out of $$$$
- Heat
- Fine to about 90 to 95 °C
- Feel
- Tough and rigid. Takes knocks and holds its shape in heat.
- Outdoors
- Yes. Years of full sun without going brittle or fading much.
What it's for
Good for
- Car, 4WD, caravan and trailer fittings, inside and out
- Boat and marine parts above the waterline
- Garden, fence, gate and irrigation fittings
- Dashboards and anything left in a hot car
- Props and parts you'll sand, fill and paint
Not the right pick for
- Decorative indoor pieces where PLA is cheaper and crisper
- Parts that have to bend (use TPU)
- Large flat parts, which can warp. Ask us and we'll set it up to suit
- Very fine detail
The options
ASA
UV and weather resistant ABS. The outdoor and automotive choice. Matte finish, sands and paints well.
ABS
Same toughness and heat resistance without the UV stability. Cheaper, good for car interiors and finished props that stay out of the sun.
ABS-GF
Glass filled ABS. Stiffer and stays straight in heat. Engine bay trim, covers and brackets near heat.
Colours
All our filament comes from Siddament, an Australian supplier. If a ASA colour is in stock there, we can print with it. Pick a basic colour in the quote tool or choose Other Siddament colour and paste the product code.
Colours from Siddament
ASA questions
What's the difference between ASA and ABS?
They're close relatives. ASA adds UV stability, so it keeps its colour and strength outdoors. ABS is a little cheaper and suits parts that stay inside or in a car cabin. Both take heat that would wreck PLA or PETG.
How hot can ASA go?
Parts hold their shape to around 90 to 95 °C, which covers a car interior in summer and most spots near, but not on, an engine. For under-bonnet parts ask us, a glass-filled grade may be the better pick.
Can I paint ASA?
Yes, it's one of the best materials for it. Sand, fill, prime and paint like any plastic model or car part.
Will ASA fade?
Far less than other plastics. It's the same family used for outdoor fittings and car trim. Darker colours hold up best.
Is ASA good for marine use?
Above the waterline, yes: rod holders, brackets, cleat covers and the like. It handles salt spray and sun. We can't vouch for parts permanently submerged.
Price your part in ASA
Upload the file, pick the material and colour, and the price is there in seconds.