ASA
Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate
Holds up to sustained sunlight and weather without yellowing. The go-to for outdoor parts, signage, and automotive trim.
ASA handles sustained sunlight and weather without yellowing or embrittling. It matches ABS on heat and impact, with slightly higher tensile strength and a cleaner surface finish.
The surface finish is matte with fine layer lines. Parts machine, drill, tap, and sand without issue. Two-part epoxies and cyanoacrylates bond well. Acetone vapor smoothing isn't reliable on ASA.
Specifications
- Heat deflection (0.45 MPa)
- 98 °C
- Tensile strength
- 45 MPa
- Density
- 1.05 g/cm³
- Weatherability
- Outdoor-rated
- Price tier
- $$
When to use
Outdoor or UV-exposed parts: enclosures, signage, automotive trim, garden and patio fixtures. Anything exposed to sustained sunlight, rain, or temperature swings.
When not to use
ASA tops out around 98 °C in heat deflection, so it isn't the right pick when service temperatures climb higher. Acetone-vapor smoothing isn't reliable on ASA, so a vapor-polished finish is out.