3D Printing Info
Home/Selection articles/Service environment
Material selection · Service environment

ASA vs PETG vs PC for outdoor components

Separate UV, moisture, sun heating and appearance requirements using named FDM grades, documented exposure protocols and specific verification tests.

3D Printing Info · Published · Revised

Editorial synthesis assisted by AI, based on the linked supplier documents and experimental research. No mechanical testing was performed for this article.

Choose an exposed system, then verify the hot, wet part

Engineering interpretation. A documented ASA grade is a reasonable candidate to investigate for an exposed housing or bracket. In Stratasys’s common weathering program, its natural ASA showed a smaller change in break stress than the tested PC. This supports a decision about those printed grades and that exposure; it does not qualify every ASA spool or rule out a separately stabilized PC system. Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details]

Engineering interpretation. Keep PETG in the candidate list when its exact grade and color meet the use case, but require weathering evidence. A transparent PrimaSelect PETG experiment used a different UV-B protocol and cannot be inserted into the ASA/PC comparison. For a sun-heated loaded part, the unresolved decision is retained component performance while hot and wet, rather than the polymer name alone. Amza et al. / Polymers [details] · ASTM International [details]

Keep the exposure protocols and specimen roles separate

The first group shares a supplier, printer and stated QUV exposure. The PETG group remains separate, and color differences belong to their own flat plaques. Missing lamp, orientation or statistical information stays visible rather than being supplied from another experiment. Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details] · Amza et al. / Polymers [details]

Stratasys ASA and PC: the shared 1000 h QUV program

Supplier FDM results: F900/T16; upright ZX; ASTM G154, 1000 h with 8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C humidity/condensation cycles. Ten tensile coupons per condition, conditioned at least 40 h at 23 °C/50% RH. UV lamp, irradiance and UV-table scatter are not reported.

Exact grade & processOrientation & specimen stateTensile stress at break
MPa		Tensile modulus
GPa		Test conditions & source
Stratasys ASA (natural / ivory in UV table)FFF · Manufacturer testUpright (ZX), source labelConditioning: At least 40 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before tensile testing (shared UV report).Post-processing: Not reported30.5
Stratasys [details]		1.82
Stratasys [details]		ASTM D638 (revision not stated)Test temperature: Not reportedExposure method: No UV exposure, source controlDuration: No UV exposureCycle: Not reportedLamp: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: Control, no UV exposureSpecimen & processing details
Stratasys ASA (natural / ivory in UV table)FFF · Manufacturer testUpright (ZX), source labelConditioning: At least 40 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before tensile testing (shared UV report).Post-processing: Not reported29.5
Stratasys [details]		1.95
Stratasys [details]		ASTM D638 (revision not stated)Test temperature: Not reportedExposure method: QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)Duration: 1000 h chamber exposureCycle: 8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensationLamp: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: After stated exposureSpecimen & processing details
Stratasys PC WhiteFFF · Manufacturer testUpright (ZX), source labelConditioning: At least 40 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before tensile testing (shared UV report).Post-processing: Not reported40.9
Stratasys [details]		1.78
Stratasys [details]		ASTM D638 (revision not stated)Test temperature: Not reportedExposure method: No UV exposure, source controlDuration: No UV exposureCycle: Not reportedLamp: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: Control, no UV exposureSpecimen & processing details
Stratasys PC WhiteFFF · Manufacturer testUpright (ZX), source labelConditioning: At least 40 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before tensile testing (shared UV report).Post-processing: Not reported29
Stratasys [details]		1.99
Stratasys [details]		ASTM D638 (revision not stated)Test temperature: Not reportedExposure method: QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)Duration: 1000 h chamber exposureCycle: 8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensationLamp: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: After stated exposureSpecimen & processing details

The supplier reports a −3.0% ASA and −29.2% PC change in stress at break in the shared report. The displayed MPa values are rounded, so they are not used to recompute a more precise retention percentage. Different colors, formulations and unreported settings limit transfer to another filament. Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details]

PrimaSelect PETG: a separate short UV-B experiment

Independent FFF experiment on natural transparent PrimaSelect PETG; Creality Ender-3; ASTM D638-14 Type I, 1 mm/min, 23 °C/50% RH. Five specimens per group; ± is standard error. Exposure: 310 nm, 0.43 W·m−2·nm−1, three 8 h UV / 4 h lamp-off cycles; 24 h total lamp-on time. Tensile build orientation is not specified.

Exact grade & processOrientation & specimen stateUltimate tensile strength
MPa		Young’s modulus
MPa		Test conditions & source
PrimaSelect PETG, natural transparentFFF · Independent experimentNot reportedConditioning: Not reportedPost-processing: Not reported31.3 ± 0.24
Amza et al. / Polymers [details]		1648 ± 21.5
Amza et al. / Polymers [details]		ASTM D638-14, Type ITest temperature: 23 °CExposure method: Unirradiated controlDuration: No UV exposureCycle: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedTest humidity: 50% RHSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: Control, no UV exposurePrinting ambient: 23 °C / 50% RH, reported room conditionsSpecimen & processing details
PrimaSelect PETG, natural transparentFFF · Independent experimentNot reportedConditioning: Not reportedPost-processing: Not reported19.98 ± 0.63
Amza et al. / Polymers [details]		1629 ± 14.6
Amza et al. / Polymers [details]		ASTM D638-14, Type ITest temperature: 23 °CExposure method: 310 nm UV-B in Discovery DY110C chamberDuration: 24 h total UV-on exposure; three cyclesCycle: 8 h dry UV at 50 °C; 4 h lamp-off condensation/cooling to 23 °CIrradiance: 0.43 W·m−2·nm−1, source spectral irradianceHumidity: 50% RH; allowed deviation 10% of set value for exposureTest humidity: 50% RHSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: After stated exposurePrinting ambient: 23 °C / 50% RH, reported room conditionsSpecimen & processing details

Engineering interpretation. The PETG treatment changes ultimate strength while its modulus changes little. Its shorter-wavelength exposure, timing, material, test setup and strength definition differ from the supplier break-stress group; the numerical values do not rank PETG against ASA or PC. Amza et al. / Polymers [details] · Amza et al. / Polymers [details] · Amza et al. / Polymers [details]

Color response: preserve each reported plaque result

Stratasys common QUV program; flat XY plaques, separate from tensile coupons. Values are the reported CIE L*a*b* total color differences for Plaque 1 and Plaque 2 after 1000 h. The report provides no numerical acceptance threshold, color instrument or measurement uncertainty.

Exact grade & processOrientation & specimen stateReported total color difference
ΔE*ab		Test conditions & source
Stratasys ASA, natural colorFFF · Manufacturer testFlat (XY), source labelConditioning: Not reportedPost-processing: Not reported9.23
Stratasys [details]		CIE L*a*b*; source-reported total color differenceTest temperature: Not reportedExposure method: QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)Duration: 1000 h chamber exposureCycle: 8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensationLamp: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedPlaque: Plaque 1, source label; individual result, no cross-plaque averagingColor instrument: Not reportedSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: After stated exposureSpecimen & processing details
Stratasys ASA, natural colorFFF · Manufacturer testFlat (XY), source labelConditioning: Not reportedPost-processing: Not reported0.86
Stratasys [details]		CIE L*a*b*; source-reported total color differenceTest temperature: Not reportedExposure method: QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)Duration: 1000 h chamber exposureCycle: 8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensationLamp: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedPlaque: Plaque 2, source label; individual result, no cross-plaque averagingColor instrument: Not reportedSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: After stated exposureSpecimen & processing details
Stratasys PC (UV report; PC White identified by PC MDS)FFF · Manufacturer testFlat (XY), source labelConditioning: Not reportedPost-processing: Not reported33.48
Stratasys [details]		CIE L*a*b*; source-reported total color differenceTest temperature: Not reportedExposure method: QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)Duration: 1000 h chamber exposureCycle: 8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensationLamp: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedPlaque: Plaque 1, source label; individual result, no cross-plaque averagingColor instrument: Not reportedSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: After stated exposureSpecimen & processing details
Stratasys PC (UV report; PC White identified by PC MDS)FFF · Manufacturer testFlat (XY), source labelConditioning: Not reportedPost-processing: Not reported32.7
Stratasys [details]		CIE L*a*b*; source-reported total color differenceTest temperature: Not reportedExposure method: QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)Duration: 1000 h chamber exposureCycle: 8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensationLamp: Not reportedIrradiance: Not reportedHumidity: Not reportedPlaque: Plaque 2, source label; individual result, no cross-plaque averagingColor instrument: Not reportedSurface protection: Not reportedApplied stress: Not reportedExposure state: After stated exposureSpecimen & processing details

Engineering interpretation. A lower change in these particular plaques is evidence about this test and color cohort. It is not a statement that every ASA pigment is lightfast or that every PC grade must yellow the same way. Stratasys [details] · Covestro [details]

Unchanged stiffness can hide lost strength

The exposed PC cohort has a higher reported tensile modulus and a lower break stress than its control. A stiffness-only screen would miss that loss of resistance to rupture. The natural ASA result changes less in break stress in the same program, but the source provides no UV-table uncertainty with which to judge small differences. Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details]

Engineering interpretation. These exposures combine light, heating and moisture. They show the net response of a printed specimen after a defined treatment; they do not isolate the contribution of each mechanism or measure years of loaded service. Recheck the load path, critical build direction and fastened joint after aging instead of treating a retained modulus as a complete durability result. Stratasys [details] · ASTM International [details]

Specify appearance independently from strength

The two reported ASA plaque color differences are 9.23 and 0.86; the corresponding PC results are 33.48 and 32.7. Retaining both values makes their spread visible. They are individual color outputs, not confidence intervals or a universal pass threshold. Do not replace them with a claim that ASA never changes color. Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details]

Engineering interpretation. The PETG study also observed yellowing and darkening, but did not supply a compatible numerical color difference. A clear sensor window or light cover therefore needs separate transmission, haze and color limits alongside mechanical requirements. A cosmetic enclosure can fail an appearance requirement before a structural failure occurs. Amza et al. / Polymers [details] · Stratasys [details]

A protected PC system is a different candidate

Covestro identifies Makrolon 2407 as UV-stabilized injection-molding resin. That provides a concrete example of grade-specific stabilization; it supplies no outdoor lifetime for an arbitrary PC filament. Its automotive optical portfolio also treats resin, color and protective hard coat as a system, including named Makrolon AG2677 exterior substrates. These are industrial material/application descriptions, not FFF qualifications. Covestro [details] · Covestro [details]

Engineering interpretation. If PC is attractive for the part’s other requirements, obtain weathering results for the actual filament and surface protection. Evaluate coating adhesion, edges, drilled holes and maintenance after printing. A protected molded optical component is useful design context, but its formulation, surface and approvals do not transfer to a printed bracket. Covestro [details] · Stratasys [details]

Make sunlight temperature and wetness part of the load case

Outdoor durability depends on the site’s radiation, wetness, temperature and pollutants; a ranking from one climate need not survive another climate. Define the intended exposure before choosing between the grades. A chamber’s hours are not a calendar-life specification, even when its lamp irradiance is known. ASTM International [details] · ASTM International [details]

Engineering interpretation. For a loaded outdoor housing, measure the actual part temperature in its intended color and mounting arrangement. Test the aged component at that temperature with the expected wet/dry state, sustained load and assembly preload. The room-conditioned tensile results above do not establish resistance to warm deflection, creep, water ingress or thermal cycling. Stratasys [details] · ASTM International [details]

Read the printed specimen and exposure records

Open a record for the exact build direction, printing information, pre-test conditioning and exposure cycle. The ASA and PC UV tables use ten tensile specimens per condition; the PETG means use five and report standard error. Color plaques are a different specimen population, so their ΔE results are not attached to the strength coupons. Stratasys [details] · Stratasys [details] · Amza et al. / Polymers [details]

Stratasys ASA (natural / ivory in UV table) · Upright (ZX), source label
Material identity
Stratasys · ASA · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Upright (ZX), source label
Specimen geometry
ASTM D638 tensile coupon; type and dimensions not stated for UV cohort.
Test method
ASTM D638 (revision not stated)
Test rate
Not reported
Test temperature
Not reported
Specimen conditioning
At least 40 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before tensile testing (shared UV report).
Printer
Stratasys F900, T16 tip
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
10
Meaning of ±
Not reported
Source locator
MDS PDF p. 14, UV Aging, Table 8; shared UV report PDF p. 2, Procedure.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
Not reported
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
0.254 mm
Bed temperature
Not reported
Infill
Not reported
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Insight; version not reported, source default parameters with stabilizer walls
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
Not reported
Exposure method
No UV exposure, source control
Duration
No UV exposure
Cycle
Not reported
Lamp
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
Control, no UV exposure
Stratasys ASA (natural / ivory in UV table) · Upright (ZX), source label
Material identity
Stratasys · ASA · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Upright (ZX), source label
Specimen geometry
ASTM D638 tensile coupon; type and dimensions not stated for UV cohort.
Test method
ASTM D638 (revision not stated)
Test rate
Not reported
Test temperature
Not reported
Specimen conditioning
At least 40 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before tensile testing (shared UV report).
Printer
Stratasys F900, T16 tip
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
10
Meaning of ±
Not reported
Source locator
MDS PDF p. 14, UV Aging, Table 8; shared UV report PDF p. 2, Procedure.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
Not reported
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
0.254 mm
Bed temperature
Not reported
Infill
Not reported
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Insight; version not reported, source default parameters with stabilizer walls
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
Not reported
Exposure method
QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)
Duration
1000 h chamber exposure
Cycle
8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensation
Lamp
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
After stated exposure
Stratasys PC White · Upright (ZX), source label
Material identity
Stratasys · PC · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Upright (ZX), source label
Specimen geometry
ASTM D638 tensile coupon; type and dimensions not stated for UV cohort.
Test method
ASTM D638 (revision not stated)
Test rate
Not reported
Test temperature
Not reported
Specimen conditioning
At least 40 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before tensile testing (shared UV report).
Printer
Stratasys F900, T16 tip
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
10
Meaning of ±
Not reported
Source locator
MDS PDF p. 9, UV Aging, Table 5; shared UV report PDF p. 2, Procedure.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
Not reported
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
0.254 mm
Bed temperature
Not reported
Infill
Not reported
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Insight; version not reported, source default parameters with stabilizer walls
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
Not reported
Exposure method
No UV exposure, source control
Duration
No UV exposure
Cycle
Not reported
Lamp
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
Control, no UV exposure
Stratasys PC White · Upright (ZX), source label
Material identity
Stratasys · PC · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Upright (ZX), source label
Specimen geometry
ASTM D638 tensile coupon; type and dimensions not stated for UV cohort.
Test method
ASTM D638 (revision not stated)
Test rate
Not reported
Test temperature
Not reported
Specimen conditioning
At least 40 h at 23 °C and 50% RH before tensile testing (shared UV report).
Printer
Stratasys F900, T16 tip
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
10
Meaning of ±
Not reported
Source locator
MDS PDF p. 9, UV Aging, Table 5; shared UV report PDF p. 2, Procedure.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
Not reported
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
0.254 mm
Bed temperature
Not reported
Infill
Not reported
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Insight; version not reported, source default parameters with stabilizer walls
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
Not reported
Exposure method
QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)
Duration
1000 h chamber exposure
Cycle
8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensation
Lamp
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
After stated exposure
PrimaSelect PETG, natural transparent · Not reported
Material identity
Prima Printer Nordic AB · PETG · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Not reported
Specimen geometry
ASTM D638-14 Type I dogbone
Test method
ASTM D638-14, Type I
Test rate
1 mm/min; preload 5 N
Test temperature
23 °C
Specimen conditioning
Not reported
Printer
Creality Ender-3
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
5
Meaning of ±
Standard error (paper §3.2 and Table 2).
Source locator
§2 and Table 1; §3.2, Table 2, PETG Control column.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
235 °C
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
0.20 mm
Bed temperature
65 °C
Infill
100%, grid ±45°
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Cura 4.5
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
2
Exposure method
Unirradiated control
Duration
No UV exposure
Cycle
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Test humidity
50% RH
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
Control, no UV exposure
Printing ambient
23 °C / 50% RH, reported room conditions
PrimaSelect PETG, natural transparent · Not reported
Material identity
Prima Printer Nordic AB · PETG · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Not reported
Specimen geometry
ASTM D638-14 Type I dogbone
Test method
ASTM D638-14, Type I
Test rate
1 mm/min; preload 5 N
Test temperature
23 °C
Specimen conditioning
Not reported
Printer
Creality Ender-3
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
5
Meaning of ±
Standard error (paper §3.2 and Table 2).
Source locator
§2 and Table 1; §3.2, Table 2, PETG UV-B column.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
235 °C
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
0.20 mm
Bed temperature
65 °C
Infill
100%, grid ±45°
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Cura 4.5
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
2
Exposure method
310 nm UV-B in Discovery DY110C chamber
Duration
24 h total UV-on exposure; three cycles
Cycle
8 h dry UV at 50 °C; 4 h lamp-off condensation/cooling to 23 °C
Irradiance
0.43 W·m−2·nm−1, source spectral irradiance
Humidity
50% RH; allowed deviation 10% of set value for exposure
Test humidity
50% RH
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
After stated exposure
Printing ambient
23 °C / 50% RH, reported room conditions
Stratasys ASA, natural color · Flat (XY), source label
Material identity
Stratasys · ASA · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Flat (XY), source label
Specimen geometry
Flat plaque; dimensions and measurement geometry not reported.
Test method
CIE L*a*b*; source-reported total color difference
Test rate
Not reported
Test temperature
Not reported
Specimen conditioning
Not reported
Printer
Stratasys F900, T16 tip
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
Not reported
Meaning of ±
Not reported
Source locator
UV report PDF p. 2, Procedure; PDF p. 7, Table 2, ASA, Plaque 1 ΔE column.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
Not reported
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
Not reported
Bed temperature
Not reported
Infill
Not reported
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Not reported
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
Not reported
Exposure method
QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)
Duration
1000 h chamber exposure
Cycle
8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensation
Lamp
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Plaque
Plaque 1, source label; individual result, no cross-plaque averaging
Color instrument
Not reported
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
After stated exposure
Stratasys ASA, natural color · Flat (XY), source label
Material identity
Stratasys · ASA · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Flat (XY), source label
Specimen geometry
Flat plaque; dimensions and measurement geometry not reported.
Test method
CIE L*a*b*; source-reported total color difference
Test rate
Not reported
Test temperature
Not reported
Specimen conditioning
Not reported
Printer
Stratasys F900, T16 tip
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
Not reported
Meaning of ±
Not reported
Source locator
UV report PDF p. 2, Procedure; PDF p. 7, Table 2, ASA, Plaque 2 ΔE column.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
Not reported
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
Not reported
Bed temperature
Not reported
Infill
Not reported
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Not reported
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
Not reported
Exposure method
QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)
Duration
1000 h chamber exposure
Cycle
8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensation
Lamp
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Plaque
Plaque 2, source label; individual result, no cross-plaque averaging
Color instrument
Not reported
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
After stated exposure
Stratasys PC (UV report; PC White identified by PC MDS) · Flat (XY), source label
Material identity
Stratasys · PC · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Flat (XY), source label
Specimen geometry
Flat plaque; dimensions and measurement geometry not reported.
Test method
CIE L*a*b*; source-reported total color difference
Test rate
Not reported
Test temperature
Not reported
Specimen conditioning
Not reported
Printer
Stratasys F900, T16 tip
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
Not reported
Meaning of ±
Not reported
Source locator
UV report PDF p. 2, Procedure; PDF p. 7, Table 2, PC, Plaque 1 ΔE column.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
Not reported
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
Not reported
Bed temperature
Not reported
Infill
Not reported
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Not reported
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
Not reported
Exposure method
QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)
Duration
1000 h chamber exposure
Cycle
8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensation
Lamp
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Plaque
Plaque 1, source label; individual result, no cross-plaque averaging
Color instrument
Not reported
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
After stated exposure
Stratasys PC (UV report; PC White identified by PC MDS) · Flat (XY), source label
Material identity
Stratasys · PC · filler: Not reported
Process
FFF
Source orientation
Flat (XY), source label
Specimen geometry
Flat plaque; dimensions and measurement geometry not reported.
Test method
CIE L*a*b*; source-reported total color difference
Test rate
Not reported
Test temperature
Not reported
Specimen conditioning
Not reported
Printer
Stratasys F900, T16 tip
Post-processing
Not reported
Sample count
Not reported
Meaning of ±
Not reported
Source locator
UV report PDF p. 2, Procedure; PDF p. 7, Table 2, PC, Plaque 2 ΔE column.
Top bottom solid layers
Not reported
Nozzle temperature
Not reported
Extrusion multiplier
Not reported
Layer height
Not reported
Bed temperature
Not reported
Infill
Not reported
Infill print speed
Not reported
Slicer
Not reported
Specimen cooling
Not reported
Chamber temperature
Not reported
Perimeters
Not reported
Exposure method
QUV, ASTM G154 (revision not stated)
Duration
1000 h chamber exposure
Cycle
8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C, humidity and condensation
Lamp
Not reported
Irradiance
Not reported
Humidity
Not reported
Plaque
Plaque 2, source label; individual result, no cross-plaque averaging
Color instrument
Not reported
Surface protection
Not reported
Applied stress
Not reported
Exposure state
After stated exposure

The tests that resolve an outdoor selection

  1. Engineering interpretation. Specify the commercial grade, color, print direction, thickness, surface finish and any coating. Set separate acceptance limits for load, deflection, fastener retention, sealing and appearance before aging. Covestro [details] · Stratasys [details]

  2. Engineering interpretation. Expose candidate and control specimens together using a documented spectrum, irradiance, temperature and wetness cycle. Add a thermal/wet control if you need to separate the effects of UV from conditioning. Relate the laboratory program to field specimens from the intended climate. ASTM International [details] · ASTM International [details]

  3. Engineering interpretation. After exposure, test the finished assembly under representative warm, wet and sustained loading. Inspect the critical build direction, joints, coating edges and clearances; include cycling or freezing when the intended service contains those conditions. Stratasys [details] · ASTM International [details]

  4. Engineering interpretation. For visible or transmitting parts, measure color and any required transmission/haze after exposure. Retest when pigment, stabilizer package, coating or printing process changes. Public evidence here leaves those grade-specific acceptance and service-life decisions open. Stratasys [details] · Covestro [details]

Sources and evidence records

These records distinguish supplier tests, independent experiments and engineering interpretation. “Not reported” identifies a source gap; it is not an assumed test condition.

  1. Accelerated Aging Effect on Mechanical Properties of Common 3D-Printing Polymers

    Amza et al. / Polymers · Independent experiment · document date: 2021-11-26 · version: Polymers 13(23), 4132; DOI 10.3390/polym13234132 · accessed 2026-10-18
    Catalin Gheorghe Amza, Aurelian Zapciu, Florin Baciu, Mihai Ion Vasile, Adrian Ionut Nicoara

    FFF specimens: opaque blue Fillamentum PLA Extrafill and transparent natural PrimaSelect PETG; Creality Ender-3, Cura 4.5, 100% grid ±45° infill, 0.2 mm layers, two contours. PLA nozzle/bed: 205/45 °C; PETG: 235/65 °C. Unaged controls are discussed separately from UV-B-aged groups; ASTM D638-14 Type I dimensions, 1 mm/min, 23 °C / 50% RH, five specimens per tensile group. Ultimate strength is distinct from the supplier yield property.

  2. Impact of UV Exposure on FDM Materials

    Stratasys · Manufacturer test · document date: Not reported · version: WP_FDM_UV Aging_0123a; copyright 2022 · accessed 2026-10-18

    F900/T16 ASA natural and PC: upright ZX tensile groups and flat XY color plaques. QUV, 1000 h, ASTM G154; 8 h at 60 °C / 4 h at 50 °C with humidity/condensation. Lamp identity and irradiance absent. Group averages and individual plaque color results remain separate.

  3. ASA FDM Thermoplastic Filament Material Data Sheet

    Stratasys · Manufacturer test · document date: Not reported · version: MDS_FDM_ASA_0925a; copyright 2025 · accessed 2026-10-18

    UV cohort on PDF p. 14, Table 8; paragraph calls ASA natural, table calls it ivory. F900/T16, 0.254 mm, upright ZX. UV-table results are distinct from the other mechanical tables. No UV-table scatter is supplied.

  4. PC (Polycarbonate) FDM Material Data Sheet

    Stratasys · Manufacturer test · document date: Not reported · version: MDS_FDM_PC_0825a; copyright 2025 · accessed 2026-10-18

    UV cohort on PDF p. 9, Table 5 identifies PC White, F900, 0.254 mm. It repeats the UV white paper results. UV stabilization or coating of these specimens is not specified; results do not characterize every PC formulation.

  5. Makrolon 2407 product description

    Covestro · Manufacturer guidance · document date: Not reported · version: Not reported · accessed 2026-10-18

    Maker identifies this commercial PC resin as UV stabilized and intended for injection molding. This designation is not a printed-filament qualification or a quantified outdoor lifetime.

  6. High optical quality polycarbonates: For automotive interior, exterior and lighting

    Covestro · Manufacturer guidance · document date: Not reported · version: Optical portfolio brochure, file v9; publication date not identified · accessed 2026-10-18

    PDF pp. 24–25 discuss protected Makrolon automotive exterior resin/coating systems. Grade, substrate color and surface protection matter. These industrial systems are context, not evidence for an FFF part.

  7. ASTM G151-26: Standard Practice for Exposing Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources

    ASTM International · Standard scope · document date: 2026-05-05 · version: G151-26; public Significance and Use · accessed 2026-10-18

    Public §§4.1.2–4.1.4 and 4.2.1 explain correlation limits, formulation dependence and the use of controls. Full standard not accessed.

  8. ASTM D1435-20: Standard Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics

    ASTM International · Standard scope · document date: 2020-10-21 · version: D1435-20; public Significance and Use · accessed 2026-10-18

    Public §4.1 identifies location and climate as determinants of relative durability and recommends exposures spanning anticipated climates. Full standard not accessed.

Read individual measurement and claim records
outdoor stratasys asa control break
Tensile stress at specimen break, not yield or ultimate strength.: 30.5 MPa. Supplier group result; no scatter or uncertainty reported for this UV table.
PDF p. 14, Table 8, No UV Exposure row, Stress at Break (MPa) column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys asa control modulus
Tensile elastic modulus reported for the UV cohort.: 1.82 GPa. Supplier group result; no scatter or uncertainty reported for this UV table.
PDF p. 14, Table 8, No UV Exposure row, Modulus (GPa) column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys asa exposed break
Tensile stress at specimen break, not yield or ultimate strength.: 29.5 MPa. Supplier group result; no scatter or uncertainty reported for this UV table.
PDF p. 14, Table 8, UV Exposure row, Stress at Break (MPa) column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys asa exposed modulus
Tensile elastic modulus reported for the UV cohort.: 1.95 GPa. Supplier group result; no scatter or uncertainty reported for this UV table.
PDF p. 14, Table 8, UV Exposure row, Modulus (GPa) column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys pc control break
Tensile stress at specimen break, not yield or ultimate strength.: 40.9 MPa. Supplier group result; no scatter or uncertainty reported for this UV table.
PDF p. 9, Table 5, No UV Exposure row, Stress at Break (MPa) column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys pc control modulus
Tensile elastic modulus reported for the UV cohort.: 1.78 GPa. Supplier group result; no scatter or uncertainty reported for this UV table.
PDF p. 9, Table 5, No UV Exposure row, Modulus (GPa) column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys pc exposed break
Tensile stress at specimen break, not yield or ultimate strength.: 29 MPa. Supplier group result; no scatter or uncertainty reported for this UV table.
PDF p. 9, Table 5, UV Exposure row, Stress at Break (MPa) column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys pc exposed modulus
Tensile elastic modulus reported for the UV cohort.: 1.99 GPa. Supplier group result; no scatter or uncertainty reported for this UV table.
PDF p. 9, Table 5, UV Exposure row, Modulus (GPa) column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor primaselect petg control strength
Reported tensile strength (maximum/ultimate), distinct from yield and break stress.: 31.3 ± 0.24 MPa. Independent group mean; ± is the source standard error.
§3.2, Table 2, PETG Control column, Tensile strength row. Amza et al. / Polymers [details]
outdoor primaselect petg control modulus
Young’s modulus from the tensile experiment.: 1648 ± 21.5 MPa. Independent group mean; ± is the source standard error.
§3.2, Table 2, PETG Control column, Young’s Modulus row. Amza et al. / Polymers [details]
outdoor primaselect petg exposed strength
Reported tensile strength (maximum/ultimate), distinct from yield and break stress.: 19.98 ± 0.63 MPa. Independent group mean; ± is the source standard error.
§3.2, Table 2, PETG UV-B column, Tensile strength row. Amza et al. / Polymers [details]
outdoor primaselect petg exposed modulus
Young’s modulus from the tensile experiment.: 1629 ± 14.6 MPa. Independent group mean; ± is the source standard error.
§3.2, Table 2, PETG UV-B column, Young’s Modulus row. Amza et al. / Polymers [details]
outdoor stratasys asa plaque 1 delta e
Reported CIE L*a*b* total color difference, exposed versus control; one source plaque result.: 9.23 ΔE*ab. Individual source result; no numerical acceptance threshold or measurement uncertainty is supplied.
PDF p. 7, Table 2, ASA, Delta row, Plaque 1 ΔE column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys asa plaque 2 delta e
Reported CIE L*a*b* total color difference, exposed versus control; one source plaque result.: 0.86 ΔE*ab. Individual source result; no numerical acceptance threshold or measurement uncertainty is supplied.
PDF p. 7, Table 2, ASA, Delta row, Plaque 2 ΔE column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys pc plaque 1 delta e
Reported CIE L*a*b* total color difference, exposed versus control; one source plaque result.: 33.48 ΔE*ab. Individual source result; no numerical acceptance threshold or measurement uncertainty is supplied.
PDF p. 7, Table 2, PC, Delta row, Plaque 1 ΔE column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor stratasys pc plaque 2 delta e
Reported CIE L*a*b* total color difference, exposed versus control; one source plaque result.: 32.7 ΔE*ab. Individual source result; no numerical acceptance threshold or measurement uncertainty is supplied.
PDF p. 7, Table 2, PC, Delta row, Plaque 2 ΔE column. Stratasys [details]
outdoor shared protocol
ASA and PC used F900/T16 prints, ten upright ZX tensile coupons per condition, the same stated QUV cycle, and at least 40 h of 23 °C/50% RH conditioning before tensile testing. The report does not disclose lamp identity, spectral irradiance or UV-table uncertainty.
PDF p. 2, Procedure and Table 1; PDF p. 9, Table 4. Stratasys [details]
outdoor asa grade scope
The UV cohort is described as natural color ASA in the paragraph and ivory ASA in Table 8; that naming discrepancy is retained. Results concern this Stratasys FDM grade and color cohort.
PDF p. 14, UV Aging paragraph and Table 8. Stratasys [details]
outdoor pc white scope
The PC UV cohort uses PC White on an F900 at 0.254 mm. UV stabilization and coatings are not identified for this tested grade; a different stabilized PC must be evaluated separately.
PDF p. 9, UV Aging paragraph and Table 5. Stratasys [details]
outdoor color plaques
Two separately reported plaque color differences are available per grade after the common QUV exposure. The flat XY color specimens are separate from the upright ZX tensile specimens; there is no reported color acceptance criterion or uncertainty.
PDF p. 2, Procedure; PDF p. 7, Table 2, ASA and PC rows, Plaque 1 and Plaque 2 ΔE columns. Stratasys [details]
outdoor petg uvb protocol
The transparent natural PrimaSelect PETG experiment specifies three cycles of 8 h at 310 nm/0.43 W·m−2·nm−1 and 50 °C followed by 4 h lamp-off condensation/cooling to 23 °C. The stated 24 h is total UV-on exposure, not an equivalence to the Stratasys chamber protocol.
§2, Materials and Methods, Table 1 and paragraphs before tensile methods. Amza et al. / Polymers [details]
outdoor petg appearance
The exposed natural transparent PETG was observed to yellow and darken. No numerical ΔE, haze or transmission result is reported here.
§3.1, Visual and Dimensional Inspection; Figure 3b. Amza et al. / Polymers [details]
outdoor no calendar conversion
A laboratory light test needs material-specific correlation before it represents an outdoor environment; an irradiance-based conversion of hours to years is inadequate. Concurrent controls support relative comparisons within a specified test.
Public Significance and Use §§4.1.2–4.1.3 and 4.2.1. ASTM International [details]
outdoor climate dependence
UV, wetness, temperature and pollutants vary with site, so durability ordering from one climate need not hold in another. Exposure locations should cover the intended service climates.
Public Significance and Use §4.1. ASTM International [details]
outdoor stabilized pc grade
Makrolon 2407 is explicitly UV stabilized and listed for injection molding. That identity cannot be assigned to unspecified PC filament or to Stratasys PC White.
Product description and Applications. Covestro [details]
outdoor protected pc system
Covestro discusses absorbers and hard coats for exterior Makrolon systems and illustrates dependence on substrate grade and color. The application context is a protected industrial component system, not an FFF coupon qualification.
PDF pp. 24–25, Exterior weathering performance, especially grade/color/coating table on p. 25. Covestro [details]