3D Printing InfoWhere it is used
Drone airframes, RC parts and floating or outdoor applications where mass matters and UV exposure rules out LW-PLA
Sources
- ApolloX Foaming Technical Data Sheet · 2025-07 · tds
ASA · Material guide
Foaming ASA (ASA Aero)
Active-foaming ASA for lightweight outdoor parts: Formfutura's grade activates near 230 °C, peaks between 270 and 285 °C and triples in volume to 0.33 g/cm³, cutting weight by up to 66 %.
Open in interactive comparisonUnderstand the material
At a glance
Before you print
- Setup difficulty
- Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; flow has to be cut to match the expansion and the density…
- Nozzle wear
- Non-abrasive
Read the full material overview
Active-foaming ASA for lightweight outdoor parts: Formfutura's grade activates near 230 °C, peaks between 270 and 285 °C and triples in volume to 0.33 g/cm³, cutting weight by up to 66 %.
Applications
Foaming ASA is intended for lightweight shells and models that also need sunlight resistance. FormFutura lists drones, RC modeling and lightweight exterior components for ApolloX Foaming. Its heat-activated expansion lowers printed density, so the engineering benefit is less mass for a given outer shape rather than maximum strength from a solid material.
Density becomes a process variable: nozzle temperature, flow and the degree of foaming affect wall formation and dimensions. A highly expanded shell should not inherit the stiffness or fastener-load capability of unfoamed ASA. Bambu’s Aero data also show lower heat deflection than its ordinary ASA, so lightweight and heat-resistant are separate requirements. Published RC applications are manufacturer recommendations, not airframe qualifications.
Drones and RC models ↗
FDM · FormFutura ApolloX Foaming; properties depend on expansion profile · Manufacturer-listed applications
FormFutura specifically lists these applications for ApolloX Foaming, connecting reduced mass with outdoor weather resistance. The source provides an intended application rather than a named flight-tested airframe.
Lightweight exterior components ↗
FDM · FormFutura ApolloX Foaming · Manufacturer-listed applications
FormFutura lists automotive and aerospace exterior applications where reduced mass matters. This is a manufacturer application statement, not evidence of approval for a safety-critical vehicle or aircraft component.
Sources
- Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero · 2026-08 · tds
- ApolloX Foaming Technical Data Sheet · 2025-07 · tds
- Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA · 2026-08 · tds
Find printable models
Check the model’s material and process notes before choosing a filament.
Plan your printer setup
All print settings ↓Printing quick reference
Representative catalog values. Check the exact grade and its linked conditions before using a setting.
Nozzle temperature (°C)
240–280 (Bambu Lab); 220–285 (Formfutura), with foaming activating near 230 °C and peaking between…
Full value & sources
240–280 (Bambu Lab); 220–285 (Formfutura), with foaming activating near 230 °C and peaking between 270 and 285 °C
- Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero · 2026-08 · tds
- ApolloX Foaming Technical Data Sheet · 2025-07 · tds
Bed temperature (°C)
80–90 (Bambu Lab); 50–90 (Formfutura)
Full value & sources
80–90 (Bambu Lab); 50–90 (Formfutura)
- Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero · 2026-08 · tds
- ApolloX Foaming Technical Data Sheet · 2025-07 · tds
Enclosure
Enclosure recommended
Full value & sources
Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber
- Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero · 2026-08 · tds
- ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide · 2026-08 · doc
Drying
80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)
Full value & sources
80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)
- Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero · 2026-08 · tds
Go deeper when you need to
61 documented fieldsProperties & source data
Open a topic to explore the complete data. Each value keeps its original conditions, units and dated sources.
Material & market7 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Base polymer / chemistry | ASA with a heat-activated blowing agent that expands at the nozzle | 2 sources
|
| Density (g/cm³) | 0.99 filament (Bambu Lab, ISO 1183); Formfutura's grade reaches 0.33 g/cm³ fully expanded | 2 sources
|
| Typical price (USD/kg) | 1 kg spools cluster near 50 | 1 source
|
| Price range across brands (USD/kg) | 50 at Bambu Lab's 1 kg listing | 1 source
|
| Market availability (1–5) | Niche, a handful of specialist brands | 2 sources
|
| Spool sizes & diameters | 1.75 mm; 1 kg spools | 1 source
|
| Typical applications | Drone airframes, RC parts and floating or outdoor applications where mass matters and UV exposure rules out LW-PLA | 1 source
|
Print settings10 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature (°C) | 240–280 (Bambu Lab); 220–285 (Formfutura), with foaming activating near 230 °C and peaking between 270 and 285 °C | 2 sources
|
| Bed temperature (°C) | 80–90 (Bambu Lab); 50–90 (Formfutura) | 2 sources
|
| Enclosure / chamber requirement (1–5) | Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber | 2 sources
|
| Recommended chamber temperature (°C) | 45–60 (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Part cooling fan | 0–80 % (Bambu Lab); 0–50 % (Formfutura) | 2 sources
|
| Bed surface & adhesion aid | PEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry | 2 sources
|
| Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions) (mm³/s) | 12 at Bambu Lab's 150 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer | 2 sources
|
| Bed-adhesion difficulty (1–5) | Needs a specific surface plus adhesive | 1 source
|
| Stringing / oozing tendency (1–5) | Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s | 1 source
|
| Overall printing difficulty (1–5) | Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; flow has to be cut to match the expansion and the density follows nozzle temperature | 2 sources
|
Nozzle wear & reliability4 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle hardness required (1–4) | Brass fine indefinitely | 1 source
|
| Abrasiveness (1–5) | Non-abrasive | 1 source
|
| Heat-creep / jam sensitivity (1–5) | Slightly sensitive | 1 source
|
| Hotend requirement | No special hotend required | 1 source
|
Moisture & drying6 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity) (1–5) | High — 0.80 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH, nearly double unfilled Bambu Lab ASA | 2 sources
|
| Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH (%) | 0.80 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Drying temperature & time | 80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Symptoms when wet | Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface | 1 source
|
| Effect of moisture on strength | No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; Polymaker groups the styrenics as moderate-sensitivity and absorbed water shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion | 1 source
|
| Storage requirement | Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity | 1 source
|
Strength & mechanical properties13 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 32 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Young's modulus (MPa) | 2010 ± 260 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Elongation at break (%) | 5.1 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Flexural strength (MPa) | 58 ± 6 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Flexural modulus (MPa) | 1510 ± 120 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Charpy impact, notched (kJ/m²) | 8.2 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
| Other impact data | Charpy unnotched 32.0 ± 2.5 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179) | 1 source
|
| Layer adhesion / Z tensile (MPa) | 21 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 24 against 58 in XY | 1 source
|
| Brittleness (1–5) | Moderate | 1 source
|
| Creep resistance / sustained load (1–5) | Below average — no creep test found; the foamed structure drops modulus to 2010 MPa and load is carried by a lower solid fraction | 2 sources
|
| Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance (1–5) | Moderate — no foamed-grade S-N curve; unfilled printed ASA holds a fatigue limit at 25 % of tensile strength | |
| Elasticity / flexibility (1–5) | Rigid | 1 source
|
| Z strength as % of XY (%) | 66 by tensile, 41 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab) | 1 source
|
Heat & temperature4 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C) | 85 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 100 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA | 2 sources
|
| HDT at 1.8 MPa (°C) | 78 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 92 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA | 2 sources
|
| Continuous service temperature (°C) | 93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA | 1 source
|
| Flammability / UL 94 | Flammable; no UL 94 rating published | 1 source
|
Weather & chemical resistance5 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| UV resistance (1–5) | Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Formfutura states the foaming grade retains ApolloX's UV resistance | 2 sources
|
| Chemical resistance | Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone | 1 source
|
| Food contact | Not food safe | 1 source
|
| Biodegradability / compostability | Not biodegradable | 1 source
|
| Recyclability | Not accepted in household plastic collection | 1 source
|
Health & safety3 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Fume toxicity (1–5) | High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed | |
| Hazardous species emitted | 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 | |
| Ventilation / filtration requirement (1–5) | Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration |
Finishing & post-processing6 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Sanding & machining | Sands well and takes filler before painting | 1 source
|
| Painting & finishing | Paints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted | 1 source
|
| Gluing & solvent welding | Solvent-welds with acetone | 1 source
|
| Vapour / chemical smoothing | Acetone vapour smoothing works | 1 source
|
| Support material pairing | HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA | 1 source
|
| Dimensional accuracy & detail | Matte, textured surface that hides layer lines; colour lightens as the foaming degree rises, which doubles as a visual density cue | 1 source
|
Solvents & solubility3 fields
| Property and unit | Published value and conditions | Sources and dates |
|---|---|---|
| Soluble in | Acetone dissolves it (Polymaker); MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and the chlorinated solvents dissolve the styrenic backbone. | 2 sources
|
| Softened or crazed by | Limonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails. | 1 source
|
| Solvent welding & smoothing agent | Acetone vapour, ~20 min at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid; the foamed wall absorbs solvent, so cut the exposure well short. | 1 source
|
How to read these values
Values describe representative grades, not every spool. Manufacturer datasheets and independent tests retain their source labels and dates. Printed orientation, test method, conditioning and formulation can change results. Unknown values are —. A listed use is not a certification. Shore A, Shore D and Rockwell hardness are separate scales.
Find a specific filament
1 listingProduct listings and datasheets
Historical USD/kg snapshots. Read each listing’s sale/from qualifiers, spool mass, source date, shipping and tax notes. Product figures are separate from the material summary.
Browse 1 product from 1 brand
Bambu LabASA Aero49.99 USD/kg
$49.99 / 1 kg spool, us.store.bambulab.com, Aug 2026
Filament density 0.99 g/cm³; heat-sensitive foaming sets the printed density. Saturated water absorption 0.80 %, the highest in the ASA family.
Open product listing ↗- ASA Aero — product page · 2026-08 · vendor
- Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero · 2026-08 · tds
| Density (g/cm³) | 0.99 filament (ISO 1183) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH (%) | 0.80 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH |
|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 32 ± 4 (printed XY, ISO 527) |
|
| HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C) | 85 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa) |
|
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