3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS+ vs ASA Aero

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

ABS+ / Tough ABS guideFoaming ASA (ASA Aero) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS+ comparisonsMore ASA Aero comparisons
ABS+ vs ASA Aero — documented properties and sources
PropertyABS+ / Tough ABSABSFoaming ASA (ASA Aero)ASA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$26.49/kg median; $15.99–$29.99/kg across 4 dated product listings$49.99/kg median; $49.99–$49.99/kg across 1 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS reformulated for lower warping and a higher glass transition; Polymaker's ABS Pro and ABS Max reach Tg 114.9 and 126.3 °C against 101 °C for PolyLite ABS[1][2][3]ASA with a heat-activated blowing agent that expands at the nozzle[4][5]
Densityg/cm³1.04 (ABS Pro) and 1.06 (ABS Max), ISO 1183[1][2]0.99 filament (Bambu Lab, ISO 1183); Formfutura's grade reaches 0.33 g/cm³ fully expanded[4][5]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 27[6]1 kg spools cluster near 50[7]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg16–30 across brands; SUNLU E-ABS 16, Polymaker ABS Pro 25, YXPOLYER ABS Enhanced 28, Polymaker ABS Max 30[6][8][9]50 at Bambu Lab's 1 kg listing[7]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[6]Niche, a handful of specialist brands[7][5]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 kg spools[6]1.75 mm; 1 kg spools[7]
Typical applicationsLarge enclosure and automotive parts where plain ABS warps or softens too early[1][2]Drone airframes, RC parts and floating or outdoor applications where mass matters and UV exposure rules out LW-PLA[5]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C270–290 (ABS Pro); 270–300 (ABS Max) — 25–35 °C above plain ABS[1][2]240–280 (Bambu Lab); 220–285 (Formfutura), with foaming activating near 230 °C and peaking between 270 and 285 °C[4][5]
Bed temperature°C120 (ABS Max)[2]80–90 (Bambu Lab); 50–90 (Formfutura)[4][5]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[1][2][10]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[4][10]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–80 % (Bambu Lab); 0–50 % (Formfutura)[4][5]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[10][11]PEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[12][13]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sUp to 250 mm/s (ABS Pro) and 200 mm/s (ABS Max), equivalent to 20 and 16 on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[1][2][14]12 at Bambu Lab's 150 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[4][14]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[10]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[10]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[12]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[15]Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[12]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; the hotter nozzle rules out PTFE-lined hotends[1][2]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; flow has to be cut to match the expansion and the density follows nozzle temperature[5][4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[10]Brass fine indefinitely[10]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[10]Non-abrasive[10]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — unfilled ABS compound; no special hot-end required and clogging is not among the listed drawbacks[11][16]Not documented
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[11]Slightly sensitive[13]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[11]No special hotend required[13]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — 0.51 % maximum water absorption (ABS Pro)[1]High — 0.80 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH, nearly double unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[4][17]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.51 maximum water absorption (Polymaker ABS Pro)[1]0.80 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[4]
Drying temperature & time70 °C for 6 h (ABS Max)[2]80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures[18]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; Polymaker groups the styrenics as moderate-sensitivity and absorbed water shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[18]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[18]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[18]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa34.9 (ABS Pro) and 35.7 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]32 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Young's modulusMPa2330 (ABS Pro) and 2320 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]2010 ± 260 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Elongation at break%6.7 (ABS Max) and 7.3 (ABS Pro) at break, printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]5.1 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Flexural strengthMPa60.1 (ABS Pro) and 63.3 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[1][2]58 ± 6 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Flexural modulusMPa2330 (ABS Pro) and 2500 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[1][2]1510 ± 120 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²10.5 (ABS Max) and 14.5 (ABS Pro) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[1][2]8.2 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab)[4]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 32.0 ± 2.5 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179)[4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21.9 (ABS Pro) and 25.4 (ABS Max) printed Z, ISO 527[1][2]21 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 24 against 58 in XY[4]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[1][2]Moderate[4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 115 °C (ABS Pro) and 126 °C (ABS Max) keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1][2]Below average — no creep test found; the foamed structure drops modulus to 2010 MPa and load is carried by a lower solid fraction[4][17]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Moderate — no S-N curve found; 6.7–7.3 % elongation and 10.5–14.5 kJ/m² notched Charpy, below unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[1][2][19]Moderate — no foamed-grade S-N curve; unfilled printed ASA holds a fatigue limit at 25 % of tensile strength[4][20]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[4]
Z strength as % of XY%63 (ABS Pro) and 71 (ABS Max), printed[1][2]66 by tensile, 41 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[4]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C106.4 (ABS Pro) and 118.1 (ABS Max), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]85 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 100 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[4][17]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C101.4 (ABS Pro) and 113.1 (ABS Max), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]78 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 92 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[4][17]
Glass transition (Tg)°C114.9 (ABS Pro) and 126.3 (ABS Max), DSC[1][2]Not documented
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 116.1 (ABS Pro) and 127.4 (ABS Max), ISO 306[1][2]Not documented
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[21]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K86–89 for printed unfilled ABS (fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C); no grade-specific measurement published[22]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published[17]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement[15]Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Formfutura states the foaming grade retains ApolloX's UV resistance[5][23]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[3]Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[24]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[15]Not food safe[12]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[15]Not biodegradable[12]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[15]Not accepted in household plastic collection[12]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[25][10]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[25][10]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[25]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[25]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[25][10]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[10][25]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[25][10]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[25][10]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[15]Sands well and takes filler before painting[12]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[15]Paints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[12]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedSolvent-welds with acetone[24]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[3]Acetone vapour smoothing works[24]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[26][10]HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[10]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedMatte, textured surface that hides layer lines; colour lightens as the foaming degree rises, which doubles as a visual density cue[5]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[27][3]Acetone dissolves it (Polymaker); MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and the chlorinated solvents dissolve the styrenic backbone.[27][24]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[27][28]Limonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[28]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[29]Acetone vapour, ~20 min at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid; the foamed wall absorbs solvent, so cut the exposure well short.[29]

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. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  2. Polymaker ABS Max Technical Data Sheet V1.1 (2026-06-01) Polymaker · 2026-06 · tds
  3. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  4. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  5. ApolloX Foaming Technical Data Sheet Formfutura · 2025-07 · tds
  6. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. ASA Aero — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. SUNLU E-ABS (Easy ABS) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. YXPOLYER ABS Enhanced product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  11. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  12. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  15. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  18. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  20. Mechanical, Fatigue, and Thermal Characterization of ASA, Nylon 12, PC and PC-ABS Manufactured by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Polymers 18(2):302 · 2026-01 · paper
  21. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  23. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  24. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  25. 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
  26. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  28. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  29. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc