3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-FR vs ASA-GF

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

Flame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS) guideGlass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-FR comparisonsMore ASA-GF comparisons
ABS-FR vs ASA-GF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFlame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS)ABSGlass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF)ASA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.00/kg median; $44.99–$120.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$29.95/kg median; $26.99–$33.99/kg across 3 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS with a flame-retardant package; 3DXTech rates the base resin UL 94 V-0[1]ASA reinforced with chopped glass fibre — 10 wt% (Spectrum ASA-X GF10), 15 wt% (ZYLtech ASA-GF)[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.18 (ISO 1183) — above unfilled ABS at 1.05 because of the retardant loading[1][4]1.07 (ZYLtech) and 1.11 (Spectrum), ISO 1183[2][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 45–120; the middle of the market is about 52[5][6][7][8]1 kg spools cluster near 28[9][10]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg45–120 across brands; SUNLU 45, YXPOLYER 50, Coex 3D 52, 3DXTech 107 at 750 g pricing; the FR PC/ABS grade runs 120[5][6][7][8]27–34 across brands; Ambrosia 27, ZYLtech 30, Siraya Tech 34[9][10][11]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5]Niche, a handful of specialist brands[9][2][3]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[5]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 kg spools[3][9]
Typical applicationsElectrical enclosures and transport interiors that must meet a flammability rating[1]Outdoor brackets and mounts that need stiffness and dimensional stability under sun and moisture[2][3]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.01 at 95 % probability and ±0.02 at 100 % (ZYLtech)[3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented240–270 (Spectrum); 240–280 (ZYLtech)[2][3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented80–100 (Spectrum); 90–110 on PEI (ZYLtech)[2][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[12]Enclosure recommended[12]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–20 % (Spectrum)[2]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[12][13]PEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[14][15]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented2.4–5.6 at Spectrum's 30–70 mm/s on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; ZYLtech allows up to 200 mm/s[2][3][16]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[12]Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield[12]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[12]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[14]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[17]Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[14]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[12]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; ZYLtech requires a hardened nozzle of 0.6 mm or larger[3][2]
Extruder requirementNot documentedZYLtech specifies a hardened nozzle 0.6 mm or larger; Spectrum bases its settings on a 0.5 mm nozzle[3][2]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[12]Hardened steel required — Spectrum recommends ruby or hardened, ZYLtech requires hardened[2][3]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[2][3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for its FR-ABS, only an 80 °C pre-dry[18]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for glass-filled composites[19]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[13]Slightly sensitive[15]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[13]No special hotend required[15]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — the ABS matrix takes up 0.51–0.65 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH and 3DXTech specifies a 80 °C, 4 h pre-dry[4][20][18]Moderate — the ASA matrix takes up 0.40–0.45 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH; no glass-filled grade publishes its own figure[21][22][23]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[24]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[24]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures; absorbed water flashes to steam in the hotend and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[24]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; Polymaker groups the styrenics as moderate-sensitivity and absorbed water shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[24]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[24]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[24]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa45 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]33–36 at break, ISO 527 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated); Spectrum quotes 55 at break on injection-moulded specimens[3][2]
Young's modulusMPa1990 (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]2540–2890 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated) and 2550 (Spectrum, injection-moulded), ISO 527[3][2]
Elongation at break%4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — well below the 10 % of unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][25]3.4 at break (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated); Spectrum quotes 2.80 at yield on injection-moulded specimens[3][2]
Flexural strengthMPa80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa2250 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]2130–2480 flexural modulus, ISO 178 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated)[3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented8.3 notched Charpy at 23 °C on injection-moulded specimens (Spectrum, ISO 179-1eA); ZYLtech publishes notched Izod 6.9 by ISO 180 instead[2][3]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 25 kJ/m² at 23 °C on injection-moulded specimens (Spectrum, ISO 179-1eU); ZYLtech notched Izod 6.9 kJ/m² (ISO 180)[2][3]
Brittleness1–5Moderate — elongation at break falls to 4 % from 10 % for the unfilled grade[1][25]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 3.4 %[3]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1][25]Good — no creep test found; chopped glass fibre lifts modulus to 2540–2890 against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[3][22][21]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 4 % against 10 % for unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][25]Below average — no GF-grade S-N curve; elongation at break falls to 3.4 % against 6.7–9.2 % for unfilled ASA[3][22][21]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented100 (Spectrum, injection-moulded, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa)[2]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented97–99 unannealed (ZYLtech, ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; specimen type not stated); Spectrum 90 on injection-moulded specimens[3][2]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]Not documented
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documentedAmorphous ASA matrix; Vicat 98 (Spectrum, ISO 306). ZYLtech quotes a 210–220 °C melting range by ISO 11357 for its grade[2][3]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[26]
Flammability / UL 94UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm, rated on the base resin rather than the printed part[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[21]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedExcellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Spectrum states the parts resist prolonged UV and moisture exposure[2][27]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[28]Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[22]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[17]Not food safe[14]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[17]Not biodegradable[14]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[17]Not accepted in household plastic collection[14]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[29][12]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[29][12]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[29]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[29]Not documented
Hazardous species emittedStyrene dominates. Bambu Lab states ABS and ASA release harmful gases such as styrene at printing temperature, which can be toxic and cause dizziness or nausea[29][12]Styrene. Bambu Lab states ABS and ASA release harmful gases such as styrene at printing temperature, which can be toxic and cause dizziness or nausea. Azimi et al. measured styrene from every styrenic filament tested but did not test ASA itself[12][29]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[29][12]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[29][12]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedGlass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[2]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[17]Sands well and takes filler before painting[14]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[17]Paints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[14]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedSolvent-welds with acetone[22]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedAcetone vapour smoothing works[22]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[30][12]HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[12]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[31][28]Acetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[31][22]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[31][32]Limonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[32]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[33]Acetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[33][22]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. Firewire Flame Retardant ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Spectrum ASA-X GF10 Technical Data Sheet (mechanical and thermal data marked injection-moulded) Spectrum Filaments · 2026-08 · tds
  3. ZYLtech ASA-GF Filament Technical Data Sheet v1 ZYLtech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  5. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. SUNLU ABS-FR (ABS Flame Retardant) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. YXPOLYER ABS Flame-Retardant product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Flame Retardant Black ABS Coex 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. ZYLtech ASA-GF Glass Fiber filament — product page ZYLtech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ASA-GF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  14. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  17. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. FIREWIRE FR-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  21. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  22. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  23. Prusament ASA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2024-05 · tds
  24. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  26. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  27. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  28. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  29. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  30. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  32. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  33. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc