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What is ASA Filament?
ASA, or Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, is a type of thermoplastic filament that is becoming increasingly popular among 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals. It is known for its excellent weather resistance and UV stability, making it a great choice for outdoor applications. In this blog post, we will explore the properties and benefits of ASA filament, as well as its potential drawbacks, so you can decide if it's the right choice for your next 3D printing project
Our ASA Filament
One of the biggest advantages of ASA filament is its excellent weather resistance. Unlike ABS, which is prone to discoloration and cracking when exposed to the elements. Compared to ABS, ASA can on average withstand slightly high temperatures, humidity, and UV light without losing its mechanical properties. This makes it a great choice for creating outdoor objects, such as lawn decorations, planters, and even small playground equipment or tool accessories.
Features and Benefits of ASA Filament
Another benefit of ASA filament is its UV stability. When exposed to sunlight, ABS can become brittle and yellow over time, which can negatively impact the aesthetics and performance of the final print. ASA, on the other hand, maintains its color and strength even after prolonged exposure to UV light, making it a great choice for creating parts that will be used outdoors.
ASA also has good impact resistance and is relatively stiff. This makes it a great choice for applications that require a lot of mechanical strength, such as gears, bearings, and other small mechanical parts.
It is also important to note that ASA can be printed with or without a heated bed, but when it comes to outdoor applications, a heated bed is highly recommended to help prevent warping. Additionally, a cooling fan can help to improve the quality of the final print depending on print speed, hotend temperature and ambient temperature.
On the downside, ASA is not as flexible as other materials such as TPU or TPE, so it may not be the best choice for applications that require a lot of flexibility. Furthermore, ASA is more expensive than ABS and is not as widely available, which can be a challenge for those on a budget or who are looking for a more accessible material.
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