3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA-GF vs PVB

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

Glass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF) guidePVB guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA-GF comparisonsMore PVB comparisons
ASA-GF vs PVB — documented properties and sources
PropertyGlass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF)ASAPVBSPECIALTY
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.95/kg median; $26.99–$33.99/kg across 3 dated product listings$66.65/kg median; $49.32–$79.98/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]Polyvinyl butyral — a printable thermoplastic whose surface can be smoothed with isopropyl alcohol instead of a hot solvent[3]
Densityg/cm³1.07 (ZYLtech) and 1.11 (Spectrum), ISO 1183[1][2]1.10 (Polymaker PolySmooth, ISO 1183); Prusament PVB 1.10[3][4]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 28[5][6]1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 80[7][8]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg27–34 across brands; Ambrosia 27, ZYLtech 30, Siraya Tech 34[5][6][9]49–102 across brands; Polymaker PolySmooth 49 at 750 g, Prusament PVB 80–102 at 500 g[7][8]
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; 0.5 and 0.75 kg spools[7][8]
Typical applicationsOutdoor brackets and mounts that need stiffness and dimensional stability under sun and moisture[1][2]Display models and light guides where a layer-free surface matters more than strength[3]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.01 at 95 % probability and ±0.02 at 100 % (ZYLtech)[2]+/- 0.03 (Prusament PVB)[4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Spectrum); 240–280 (ZYLtech)[1][2]215 +/- 10 (Prusament PVB)[4]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Spectrum); 90–110 on PEI (ZYLtech)[1][2]75 +/- 5 (Prusament PVB)[4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[10]Open frame is fine[3]
Part cooling fan0–20 % (Spectrum)[1]100 % part cooling (Prusament PVB)[4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[11][12]Smooth PEI sheet or satin sheet; Prusa states a brim is not generally necessary[4]
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][13]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield[10]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[11]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[11]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; ZYLtech requires a hardened nozzle of 0.6 mm or larger[2][1]Easy — minor profile tuning; it prints close to PLA[3]
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[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[1][2]Non-abrasive[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for glass-filled composites[14]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa calls PVB very prone to absorbing moisture and requires a 60 °C, 4 h dry before every print[15][16]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[12]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[12]Not documented
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[17][18][19]Very high (>2 %) — 2.36 % equilibrium water absorption (Polymaker PolySmooth), above every PLA and PETG grade here[3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented2.36 equilibrium water absorption (Polymaker PolySmooth); 2.09 for PolyCast; Prusament PVB takes up 0.18 in 24 h and 0.35 in 7 days at 24 °C and 22 % RH[3][20][4]
Drying temperature & timeNot documentedMaximum 60 °C for 4-8 h depending on how wet the filament is (Prusament PVB)[4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[16]Not documented
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[16]Polymaker publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures; at 2.36 % equilibrium uptake the material has to be kept dry to print cleanly[3][16]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[16]Sealed with desiccant[16]
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]51.8 ± 0.7 printed XY, ISO 527 (PolySmooth); 53.2 ± 1.1 for PolyCast; Prusament PVB gives 50 +/- 5 at yield printed horizontal (ISO 527-1) and 57 +/- 1 on the filament (ISO 527)[3][20][4]
Young's modulusMPa2540–2890 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated) and 2550 (Spectrum, injection-moulded), ISO 527[2][1]2199 ± 43 printed XY and 2010 ± 69 printed Z, ISO 527 (PolySmooth); Prusament PVB gives 1700 +/- 100 in both print directions (ISO 527-1)[3][4]
Elongation at break%3.4 at break (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated); Spectrum quotes 2.80 at yield on injection-moulded specimens[2][1]5.7 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (PolyCast)[20]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented72 +/- 1 printed horizontal and 73 +/- 3 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament PVB)[4]
Flexural modulusMPa2130–2480 flexural modulus, ISO 178 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated)[2]2233 ± 106 printed XY, ISO 178 (PolyCast); Prusament PVB gives 2200 +/- 100 horizontal and 2300 +/- 100 vertical (ISO 178)[20][4]
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]7 +/- 1 printed horizontal and 10 +/- 1 printed vertical, ISO 179-1 notched (Prusament PVB)[4]
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]Charpy unnotched 55 +/- 7 printed horizontal and 59 +/- 12 printed vertical (Prusament PVB, ISO 179-1)[4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented26.3 ± 2.1 printed Z, ISO 527 (PolyCast); Prusament PVB gives 49 +/- 5 at yield printed vertical (ISO 527-1) and 9 +/- 1 on Prusa's interlayer adhesion test[20][4]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 3.4 %[2]Moderate[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedShore D 77 (Prusa Polymers method)[4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; chopped glass fibre lifts modulus to 2540–2890 against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[2][18][17]Not documented
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][18][17]Not documented
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[2]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented98 (Prusament PVB, printed vertical against horizontal tensile yield, ISO 527-1: 49 +/- 5 against 50 +/- 5) — the most isotropic printed material in this dataset[4]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C100 (Spectrum, injection-moulded, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa)[1]68 (PolySmooth) and 67 (PolyCast), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa; Prusament PVB 63 (ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa)[3][20][4]
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]66 (PolySmooth) and 53 (PolyCast), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; Prusament PVB 58 (ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa)[3][20][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented70 (DSC) for both PolySmooth and PolyCast[3][20]
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; Vicat 70 (PolySmooth) and 67 (PolyCast), ISO 306[3][20]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[21]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[17]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Spectrum states the parts resist prolonged UV and moisture exposure[1][22]Not documented
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[18]Not documented
Food contactNot food safe[11]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[11]Not documented
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[11]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[23][10]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; none of these materials was in the chamber study[23]
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[10][23]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[23][10]Open a window / occasional ventilation[23]
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[11]Not documented
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[11]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[18]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[18]Isopropyl alcohol vapour smoothing is the point of the material — Polymaker markets PolySmooth for hands-free post-processing to a layer-free surface[3]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[10]PolyDissolve S1 is rated for PVB (Polymaker)[24]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedPolyCast is the investment-casting variant of the same chemistry — it burns out cleanly rather than being smoothed[20]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[25][18]Isopropyl alcohol dissolves it; Prusa describes PVB as soluble only in IPA, and it is not water-soluble.[15]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[26]Not documented
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[27][18]Isopropyl alcohol: brushed or sprayed on for speed, or several hours in IPA vapour for a glass-like surface.[27][15]

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. PolySmooth Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  4. Prusament PVB Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  5. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. ZYLtech ASA-GF Glass Fiber filament — product page ZYLtech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ASA-GF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  11. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  12. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  13. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Prusament PVB — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  16. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  18. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  19. Prusament ASA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2024-05 · tds
  20. PolyCast Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  21. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  22. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  23. 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
  24. PolyDissolve S1 Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  25. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  26. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc