3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA Aero vs PLA Wood

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

Foaming ASA (ASA Aero) guideWood-filled PLA guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA Aero comparisonsMore PLA Wood comparisons
ASA Aero vs PLA Wood — documented properties and sources
PropertyFoaming ASA (ASA Aero)ASAWood-filled PLAPLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$49.99/kg median; $49.99–$49.99/kg across 1 dated product listings$34.49/kg median; $13.99–$76.40/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryASA with a heat-activated blowing agent that expands at the nozzle[1][2]PLA filled with wood powder — 10–18 wt% (Bambu Lab SDS); colorFabb woodFill uses a PLA/PHA base with recycled wood fibre[3][4]
Densityg/cm³0.99 filament (Bambu Lab, ISO 1183); Formfutura's grade reaches 0.33 g/cm³ fully expanded[1][2]1.15 (colorFabb) to 1.23 (Fiberlogy), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.21[5][4][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 50[7]1 kg spools cluster near 25; counting the 0.5 kg specialty spools the middle of the market is about 34[8][9][10]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg50 at Bambu Lab's 1 kg listing[7]14–76 across brands; SUNLU 14, ELEGOO 19, Bambu Lab 25, Prusament 44, Filament PM 49 on 0.5 kg spools, colorFabb 76[9][8][11][12][13][10]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[7][2]Stocked by most mainstream brands[8][9][12][6]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 1 kg spools[7]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.6, 0.85 and 1 kg spools[12][6][8]
Typical applicationsDrone airframes, RC parts and floating or outdoor applications where mass matters and UV exposure rules out LW-PLA[2]Decorative and model-making prints that are sanded and stained like timber[5][4]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.03 (Bambu Lab)[5]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–280 (Bambu Lab); 220–285 (Formfutura), with foaming activating near 230 °C and peaking between 270 and 285 °C[1][2]190–240 (Bambu Lab); colorFabb advises 195–220 for its PLA/PHA base[5][4]
Bed temperature°C80–90 (Bambu Lab); 50–90 (Formfutura)[1][2]35–45 (Bambu Lab); 50–70 (Fiberlogy)[5][6]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[1][14]Open frame is fine[5]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–80 % (Bambu Lab); 0–50 % (Formfutura)[1][2]Fan on[5]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[15][16]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s12 at Bambu Lab's 150 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[1][17]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedNone[5]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[15]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[15]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; flow has to be cut to match the expansion and the density follows nozzle temperature[2][1]Easy — minor profile tuning; pre-drying is required and the wood content chars if it sits hot[18][5]
Extruder requirementNot documentedNozzles below 0.4 mm are not compatible; Bambu Lab does not recommend the AMS lite[18]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[14]Brass acceptable; hardened steel for volume work — Bambu Lab's PLA compatibility table lists no hardened-nozzle requirement, but its nozzle guide names wood among the abrasive filaments hardened steel exists for[18][19]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[14]Moderately abrasive — wood fill[18]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Not documentedModerate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; wood particles char and block small nozzles[18]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[16]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[16]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High — 0.80 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH, nearly double unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][20]High — 1.25 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH, the highest in the PLA family[5]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.80 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]1.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[5]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]55 °C for 8 h in a forced-air dryer; Bambu Lab lists pre-drying as required[5][18]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[21]Bambu Lab flags pre-drying and ventilation as specific requirements for this grade[18]
Effect of moisture on strengthNo dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; Polymaker groups the styrenics as moderate-sensitivity and absorbed water shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[21]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. At 1.25 % saturated uptake the practical loss shows as poor layer adhesion, rough surface and weak layers[21][5]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[21]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa32 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[1]26 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 28.4 (colorFabb) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy quotes 35 at yield[5][4][6]
Young's modulusMPa2010 ± 260 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[1]2360 ± 190 (Bambu Lab) and 2479 (colorFabb) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy 2950[5][4][6]
Elongation at break%5.1 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[1]4.5 (colorFabb) to 15.3 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberlogy 6.5[5][4][6]
Flexural strengthMPa58 ± 6 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[1]55 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[5]
Flexural modulusMPa1510 ± 120 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[1]2780 ± 120 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[5]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²8.2 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab)[1]3.81 (colorFabb) and 6.3 ± 2.2 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[5][4]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 32.0 ± 2.5 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179)[1]Charpy unnotched 12.28 (colorFabb) and 15.7 (Bambu Lab), printed, ISO 179[5][4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 24 against 58 in XY[1]15 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 28 against 55 in XY[5]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[5]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Below average — no creep test found; the foamed structure drops modulus to 2010 MPa and load is carried by a lower solid fraction[1][20]Poor — no wood-filled creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[22][23][24]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Moderate — no foamed-grade S-N curve; unfilled printed ASA holds a fatigue limit at 25 % of tensile strength[1][25]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and the wood filler cuts elongation and the parts snap without warning[26][5]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[5]
Z strength as % of XY%66 by tensile, 41 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[1]58 by tensile, 51 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[5]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C85 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 100 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][20]60 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[5]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C78 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 92 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][20]57 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[5]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented54 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Fiberlogy quotes 55–60[5][6]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented156 peak melt (DSC)[5]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[27]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[20]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Formfutura states the foaming grade retains ApolloX's UV resistance[2][28]Degrades within weeks outdoors[29]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[30]Not documented
Food contactNot food safe[15]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[15]Not documented
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[15]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[31][14]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[31]
Hazardous species emittedStyrene. 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[14][31]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[31][14]None needed in a normal room; Bambu Lab specifically advises ventilation for this grade[18]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[15]Sands and stains like timber — the usual reason for choosing it[4]
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[15]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[30]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[30]Not documented
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[14]Support for PLA (Bambu Lab)[5]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte, textured surface that hides layer lines; colour lightens as the foaming degree rises, which doubles as a visual density cue[2]Wood grain hides layer lines; colour darkens with nozzle temperature[5][4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it (Polymaker); MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and the chlorinated solvents dissolve the styrenic backbone.[32][30]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[33]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[34]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[33][35]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour, ~20 min at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid; the foamed wall absorbs solvent, so cut the exposure well short.[35]Chloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[36][35]

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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  2. ApolloX Foaming Technical Data Sheet Formfutura · 2025-07 · tds
  3. Safety Data Sheet SDS20250723SA16 — Bambu PLA Wood Bambu Lab · 2025-07 · msds
  4. woodFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PLA Wood Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  6. FiberWood technical data sheet Fiberlogy · 2026-08 · tds
  7. ASA Aero — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. PLA Wood — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. PLA+ WOODJet - Natur (1,75 mm; 0,5 kg) Filament PM shop · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. woodFill — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. SUNLU Optimized Wood PLA 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  18. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Nozzles — material and compatibility Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  21. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  23. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  24. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  25. 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
  26. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  27. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  28. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  29. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  30. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  31. 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
  32. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  33. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  34. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  35. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  36. Effect of vapour smoothing in trichloromethane on 3D printed PLA — surface, mechanical and chemical structure Pitale, Keche & Chopra, Engineering Research Express 6(4) 045579 · 2024-12 · paper