ABOUT ASA

ASA can be considered a true successor to ABS. Compared to ABS, it’s UV stable, it doesn’t suffer from shrinking so badly and the fumes produced are much less noticeable. ASA 3D prints are durable, tough and suitable for a wide range of applications. The solidification temperature is also higher compared to PLA and PETG, which gives objects printed from ASA an excellent temperature resistance – there are no signs of deformation up to temperatures near 93 °C. Thanks to all these properties, ASA is especially suitable to print objects meant for long-time outside use.

However, you can still encounter some issues related to shrinking (warping) of the material – especially when printing larger models. Even with the heatbed set to 110°C, the prints can shrink and warp, causing them to detach from the print bed. However, the effects are much less severe compared to ABS. This issue can be eliminated by printing inside an enclosure or by adding a tall skirt around the object.

ASA printing requires specific conditions for successful results. It’s important to run the prints in a well-ventilated room, because the material releases fumes and substances that could pose a potential health risk. However, when ventilating the room, do not create a draft around the print – this will negatively impact the result.

Print sheet preparation

For ASA printing, we recommend using the smooth PEI spring steel sheet. With the powder-coated sheet, the adhesion of the material can be too strong, which could potentially result in damage to the surface of the sheet. The smooth sheet preparation is easy: simply clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol. To remove the print, wait until it cools down – it will then pop off easily.

You can find more details about printing with ASA in our in-depth article.