3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA-GF vs HIPS

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

Glass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF) guideHIPS guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA-GF comparisonsMore HIPS comparisons
ASA-GF vs HIPS — documented properties and sources
PropertyGlass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF)ASAHIPSABS
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.95/kg median; $26.99–$33.99/kg across 3 dated product listings$29.99/kg median; $27.99–$32.00/kg across 3 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryASA reinforced with chopped glass fibre — 10 wt% (Spectrum ASA-X GF10), 15 wt% (ZYLtech ASA-GF)[1][2]High-impact polystyrene — polystyrene toughened with a butadiene rubber phase[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.07 (ZYLtech) and 1.11 (Spectrum), ISO 1183[1][2]1.04 (ISO 1183)[3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 28[5][6]1 kg spools cluster near 31[7][8]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg27–34 across brands; Ambrosia 27, ZYLtech 30, Siraya Tech 34[5][6][9]28–32 across brands; YXPOLYER 28, Push Plastic 30, 3DXTech 32[8][7][10]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5][1][2]Available from several mainstream brands[7][8]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 kg spools[2][5]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 and 3 kg spools[8][7]
Typical applicationsOutdoor brackets and mounts that need stiffness and dimensional stability under sun and moisture[1][2]Break-away and d-limonene-soluble support for ABS and ASA, and a light model material in its own right[4]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.01 at 95 % probability and ±0.02 at 100 % (ZYLtech)[2]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Spectrum); 240–280 (ZYLtech)[1][2]230–245 (Simplify3D)[11]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Spectrum); 90–110 on PEI (ZYLtech)[1][2]100–115 (Simplify3D)[11]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[12]Enclosure recommended[12]
Part cooling fan0–20 % (Spectrum)[1]Part cooling fan not required[11]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[13][14]Glue stick, glass plate, Kapton tape or PET sheets[11]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s2.4–5.6 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[1][2][15]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield[12]Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield[12]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[13]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[11]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[13]Slight — HIPS oozes less than ABS[11][16]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; ZYLtech requires a hardened nozzle of 0.6 mm or larger[2][1]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[12]
Extruder requirementZYLtech specifies a hardened nozzle 0.6 mm or larger; Spectrum bases its settings on a 0.5 mm nozzle[2][1]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required — Spectrum recommends ruby or hardened, ZYLtech requires hardened[1][2]Brass fine indefinitely[12]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[1][2]Non-abrasive[12]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for glass-filled composites[17]Low — no special hot-end required, no drybox and no hardened nozzle, and 3DXTech states drying is not needed[11][18][4]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[14]Slightly sensitive[11]
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[14]No special hot-end required[11]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — the ASA matrix takes up 0.40–0.45 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH; no glass-filled grade publishes its own figure[19][20][21]Low (0.1–0.3 %) — Simplify3D lists water resistance as a headline property[11]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[22]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[22]
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[22]Polymaker 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[22]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[22]Sealed with desiccant; less critical than for the polyamides[22]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa33–36 at break, ISO 527 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated); Spectrum quotes 55 at break on injection-moulded specimens[2][1]40 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[3]
Young's modulusMPa2540–2890 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated) and 2550 (Spectrum, injection-moulded), ISO 527[2][1]1350 (printed XY, ISO 527) — the lowest modulus of the styrenics here[3]
Elongation at break%3.4 at break (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated); Spectrum quotes 2.80 at yield on injection-moulded specimens[2][1]18 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[3]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented70 (printed XY, ISO 178)[3]
Flexural modulusMPa2130–2480 flexural modulus, ISO 178 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated)[2]1600 (printed XY, ISO 178)[3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²8.3 notched Charpy at 23 °C on injection-moulded specimens (Spectrum, ISO 179-1eA); ZYLtech publishes notched Izod 6.9 by ISO 180 instead[1][2]Not documented
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 25 kJ/m² at 23 °C on injection-moulded specimens (Spectrum, ISO 179-1eU); ZYLtech notched Izod 6.9 kJ/m² (ISO 180)[1][2]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 3.4 %[2]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[3]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; chopped glass fibre lifts modulus to 2540–2890 against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[2][20][19]Moderate — no printed-HIPS creep test found; Tg of 100 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[3][11]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no GF-grade S-N curve; elongation at break falls to 3.4 % against 6.7–9.2 % for unfilled ASA[2][20][19]Moderate[3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[2]Rigid[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C100 (Spectrum, injection-moulded, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa)[1]Not documented
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C97–99 unannealed (ZYLtech, ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; specimen type not stated); Spectrum 90 on injection-moulded specimens[2][1]Not documented
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented100 (DSC)[3]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous ASA matrix; Vicat 98 (Spectrum, ISO 306). ZYLtech quotes a 210–220 °C melting range by ISO 11357 for its grade[1][2]Amorphous — no melting point[3]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[23]Bounded by a glass transition of 100 °C; no loaded-bar service figure is published for HIPS[3]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[19]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[3]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Spectrum states the parts resist prolonged UV and moisture exposure[1][24]Months outdoors before embrittlement — polystyrene yellows and chalks under UV[25]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[20]Dissolves completely in d-limonene — the basis of its use as a soluble support[4]
Food contactNot food safe[13]Not food safe[25]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[13]Not biodegradable[25]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[13]Not accepted in household plastic collection[25]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — insulating (ASTM D257)[3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[26][12]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[26]
VOC emission rateµg/minNot documented12–113 styrene, the range measured across ABS and the one HIPS filament tested[26]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/minNot documented≈4 × 10⁹ median for the HIPS filament tested, an order of magnitude below ABS but forty times PLA[26]
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[12][26]Styrene was the only dominant VOC identified for the HIPS filament tested[26]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[26][12]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[26]
Dust & fibre handling hazardGlass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[13]Sands and paints readily, like ABS[25]
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[13]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[20]Solvent-welds with d-limonene, and with acetone via its polystyrene backbone[11][4]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[20]d-limonene attacks the surface; acetone smoothing is far less effective than on ABS[4][11]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[12]Used as the support material itself — dissolves in d-limonene, or breaks away from ABS and ASA[4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[27][20]d-limonene, 12–24 h submerged with occasional agitation; acetone also dissolves it, and xylene does so at 23 °C.[28][27][29]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[30]Limonene also disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades, so an ABS model can flake apart in the same bath.[30]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[31][20]Limonene welds and lightly etches it; acetone welds through the polystyrene backbone but smooths less well than ABS.[28][30]

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. Spectrum ASA-X GF10 Technical Data Sheet (mechanical and thermal data marked injection-moulded) Spectrum Filaments · 2026-08 · tds
  2. ZYLtech ASA-GF Filament Technical Data Sheet v1 ZYLtech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. 3DXMAX HIPS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. 3DXMAX HIPS — product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. ZYLtech ASA-GF Glass Fiber filament — product page ZYLtech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ASA-GF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. YXPOLYER HIPS product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  12. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  14. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  16. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  20. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  21. Prusament ASA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2024-05 · tds
  22. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  24. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  25. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  26. 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
  27. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  28. D-Limonene — FDM post-processing guide Filament2Print · 2026-08 · review
  29. US 5,278,282 Polymer recycling by selective dissolution — xylene dissolution temperatures Nauman & Lynch, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · 1994-01 · paper
  30. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc