3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS+ vs ASA

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

ABS+ / Tough ABS guideASA guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS+ comparisonsMore ASA comparisons
ABS+ vs ASA — documented properties and sources
PropertyABS+ / Tough ABSABSASAASA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$26.49/kg median; $15.99–$29.99/kg across 4 dated product listings$28.98/kg median; $17.99–$50.00/kg across 14 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]Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate — ABS with the butadiene rubber phase replaced by an acrylate rubber that has no UV-vulnerable double bonds[4][5]
Densityg/cm³1.04 (ABS Pro) and 1.06 (ABS Max), ISO 1183[1][2]1.05 (Bambu Lab) to 1.13 (PolyLite ASA), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.07[6][7][5]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 27[8]1 kg spools cluster near 30[9][8][10]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg16–30 across brands; SUNLU E-ABS 16, Polymaker ABS Pro 25, YXPOLYER ABS Enhanced 28, Polymaker ABS Max 30[8][11][12]18–50 across brands; IEMAI 18, SUNLU 18, Ambrosia 23, Polymaker 26, Bambu Lab 30, YXPOLYER 30, Prusament 41, 3DXTech 50[13][8][9][14][10][15][16][17][18]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[8]Stocked by most mainstream brands[9][8][15][10]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 kg spools[8]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.8, 1, 4 and 10 kg spools[15][10][9]
Typical applicationsLarge enclosure and automotive parts where plain ABS warps or softens too early[1][2]Outdoor fittings, signage, automotive exterior trim and anything that has to hold colour and strength in sunlight[19][4]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.04 (Prusament)[5]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C270–290 (ABS Pro); 270–300 (ABS Max) — 25–35 °C above plain ABS[1][2]230–270 across brands; Prusament 260 ± 10, Bambu Lab 240–270, PolyLite 230–260[6][7][5]
Bed temperature°C120 (ABS Max)[2]75–110; Prusament 110 ± 5, Bambu Lab 80–100, PolyLite 75–95[6][7][5]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[1][2][20]Enclosure recommended — Polymaker calls a chamber needed at ambient temperature, Bambu Lab requires an enclosed printer and rules out its P1P and A-series machines[7][20]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[6]
Part cooling fanNot documentedLow — Prusament 30 % within a 0–50 % range, Bambu Lab 0–80 %, PolyLite off[5][6][7]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[20][21]Satin, smooth PEI or powder-coated sheet with a glue stick; Prusa advises a 3 mm or taller brim on large parts[5][20]
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][22]10–16 (PrusaSlicer guidance for ABS/ASA)[22]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[20]High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts; Prusa recommends a tall brim and Bambu Lab attributes cracking to cooling stress exceeding interlayer adhesion[5][20]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[20]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[5][20]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[23]Slight[7]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; the hotter nozzle rules out PTFE-lined hotends[1][2]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[20][5]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[20]Brass fine indefinitely[20]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[20]Non-abrasive[20]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — unfilled ABS compound; no special hot-end required and clogging is not among the listed drawbacks[21][24]Low — no special hot-end required and clogging is not among the listed drawbacks; Prusa lists no drybox and no hardened nozzle[25][24]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[21]Slightly sensitive[25]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[21]No special hot-end required[25]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — 0.51 % maximum water absorption (ABS Pro)[1]Moderate — 0.45 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab) and 0.40 % equilibrium (Polymaker); Prusa measures only 0.17 % after 7 days at 22 % RH[6][7][5]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.51 maximum water absorption (Polymaker ABS Pro)[1]0.45 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.40 equilibrium (Polymaker); 0.17 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa)[6][7][5]
Drying temperature & time70 °C for 6 h (ABS Max)[2]80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 70 °C for 7 h (Polymaker)[6][7]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[26]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[26]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures[26]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published for ASA; Polymaker groups the styrenics as moderate-sensitivity and the loss shows as poor layer adhesion rather than a stated strength delta[26]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[26]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[26]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa34.9 (ABS Pro) and 35.7 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]37 ± 3 (Bambu Lab) to 43.8 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 42 ± 1 at yield; Formfutura quotes 47.5 at yield[6][7][5][27]
Young's modulusMPa2330 (ABS Pro) and 2320 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]2379 (PolyLite) to 2450 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 1600, Formfutura 2020[6][7][5][27]
Elongation at break%6.7 (ABS Max) and 7.3 (ABS Pro) at break, printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]6.7 (PolyLite) to 9.2 (Bambu Lab) at break, printed XY, ISO 527; Formfutura quotes 15 at break, Prusament 3.4 at yield[6][7][27][5]
Flexural strengthMPa60.1 (ABS Pro) and 63.3 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[1][2]64 ± 1 printed horizontal (Prusament, ISO 178); Bambu Lab 65 ± 5, PolyLite 73.4[5][6][7]
Flexural modulusMPa2330 (ABS Pro) and 2500 (ABS Max) printed XY, ISO 178[1][2]1920 ± 130 (Bambu Lab) to 3206 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 2000[6][7][5]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²10.5 (ABS Max) and 14.5 (ABS Pro) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[1][2]10.3 (PolyLite) to 19.6 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 12 ± 1, Formfutura 18[7][6][5][27]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 25 ± 3 printed horizontal and 38 ± 11 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1); Bambu Lab 41.0 ± 2.3 printed XY[5][6]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21.9 (ABS Pro) and 25.4 (ABS Max) printed Z, ISO 527[1][2]11 ± 1 (Prusa interlayer adhesion test); 31 ± 4 (Bambu Lab) and 32 (PolyLite) printed Z tensile, ISO 527[5][6][7]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[1][2]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[6][5]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented78 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[5]
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]Moderate — no printed-ASA creep test found; Tg of 98 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening, unlike PLA[7][5]
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][28]Moderate — fatigue limit at 25 % of tensile strength (8 MPa) on printed specimens, the best of the four polymers in that study[29]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[6]
Z strength as % of XY%63 (ABS Pro) and 71 (ABS Max), printed[1][2]84 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile); 73 for PolyLite ASA[6][7]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C106.4 (ABS Pro) and 118.1 (ABS Max), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]93 (Prusament) to 103 (PolyLite), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa; Bambu Lab 100[5][7][6]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C101.4 (ABS Pro) and 113.1 (ABS Max), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]86 (Prusament) to 100 (PolyLite), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; Bambu Lab 92[5][7][6]
Glass transition (Tg)°C114.9 (ABS Pro) and 126.3 (ABS Max), DSC[1][2]98 (PolyLite, DSC)[7]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 116.1 (ABS Pro) and 127.4 (ABS Max), ISO 306[1][2]Amorphous — no melting point; Vicat 105 (PolyLite, ISO 306)[7]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[30]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K86–89 for printed unfilled ABS (fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C); no grade-specific measurement published[31]69 ± 17 in XY and 115 ± 24 in the build direction (printed, TMA, 40–70 °C)[32]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard ASA[6]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement[23]Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use. After 1000 h of QUV exposure to ASTM G154 Stratasys measured yield strength falling only from 30.5 to 30.3 MPa and stress at break by 3.0 %[19]
Outdoor durabilityNot documented1000 h QUV per ASTM G154, cycling 8 h at 60 °C and 4 h at 50 °C with condensation: yield 30.5 → 30.3 MPa, stress at break 30.5 → 29.5 MPa, elongation 2.8 → 2.3 %, modulus 1.82 → 1.95 GPa[19]
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[7]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — minor absorption[6]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[23]Not food safe[4]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[23]Not biodegradable[4]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[23]Not accepted in household plastic collection[4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[33][20]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[33][20]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[33]12–113 styrene, the range measured across the styrenic filaments tested; ASA itself was not among them[33]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[33]2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median for ABS, the closest styrenic tested; ASA itself was not measured[33]
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[33][20]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[20][33]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[33][20]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[33][20]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[23]Sands well and takes filler before painting[4]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[23]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedSolvent-welds with acetone[7]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[3]Acetone vapour smoothing works — ASA dissolves in acetone[7]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[34][20]HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS that also serves ASA[20]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedWarping and cooling-stress cracking are the accuracy limits; Stratasys notes the matte finish as a deliberate aesthetic advantage[20][19]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[35][3]Acetone dissolves it (Polymaker); MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and the chlorinated solvents dissolve the styrenic backbone.[35][7]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[35][36]Limonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[36]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[37]Acetone vapour, ~20 min at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid (15–40 min across brands); layer adhesion up, tensile slightly down.[37]

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. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  5. Prusament ASA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2024-05 · tds
  6. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  7. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  8. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. ASA — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. SUNLU E-ABS (Easy ABS) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. YXPOLYER ABS Enhanced product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. ZYLtech ASA-GF Glass Fiber filament — product page ZYLtech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. IEMAI ASA 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. SUNLU ASA 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. YXPOLYER ASA Purple product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  20. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  23. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  25. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  27. ApolloX Technical Data Sheet Formfutura · 2026-08 · tds
  28. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  29. 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
  30. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  32. Basalt Fiber Composites with Reduced Thermal Expansion for Additive Manufacturing Polymers 14(15):3216 · 2022-08 · paper
  33. 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
  34. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  35. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  36. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  37. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc