SlicerDial

ABS or ASA? Same printing, different weathering

Published October 15, 202625 sources

Short answer

ASA prints almost exactly like ABS, warps the same way and also needs an enclosure for large parts, but its acrylate component makes it far more resistant to sunlight and weathering [1]. Choose ASA for anything that lives outdoors; ABS remains a cheaper indoor engineering plastic. In the data sheets, ASA's heat deflection is equal to or slightly higher than ABS's [6, 5, 8, 7].

Published ranges at a glance

The span of values that makers publish for 18 products (ABS, ASA) in the filament database, by grade. Every product, with its source, is listed in the full table below the guide.

GradeProductsNozzle °CBed °CDrying °CHDT at 0.45 MPa, °C
ABS8 from 8 brands210–29080–11065–8573–101
ASA7 from 7 brands230–28070–11570–8588–103
ABS-CF1 from 1 brand250–270100–11070–8099
ABS-GF1 from 1 brand250–270100–11065not published
ASA-GF1 from 1 brand250–270100–11070–8098

What actually differs

ABS is acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. ASA swaps the butadiene rubber for an acrylate component, and Bambu Lab’s product FAQ credits that acrylate with ASA’s better weather and UV resistance and its resistance to fading and yellowing in sunlight [1]. The same FAQ says the two have almost the same strength, toughness and stiffness, the same warping tendency, and the same need for an enclosed printer for large or dense parts [1].

Prusa’s guides agree on the outline: ASA is the successor to ABS, more UV resistant, warping somewhat less and smelling less, while ABS parts used outdoors turn yellowish and more brittle over time [3, 2].

Side by side, from the data sheets

Bambu ABS Bambu ASA Polymaker PolyLite ABS Polymaker ASA
Nozzle °C 240–270 240–270 245–265 230–260
Bed °C 80–100 80–100 90–100 75–95
HDT at 0.45 MPa 87 °C 100 °C 100 °C 103 °C
HDT at 1.8 MPa 84 °C 92 °C 98 °C 100 °C
Density g/cm³ 1.05 1.05 1.04 1.13
Drying 80 °C, 8 h 80 °C, 8 h 70 °C, 6 h 70 °C, 7 h

Sources: [5, 6, 7, 8]. The full list of ABS and ASA products in the database is in the table above.

Within each brand, the printing windows are nearly identical, which is why one printer profile family covers both. Heat deflection favours ASA slightly in both brands, by 3 °C at Polymaker and 13 °C at Bambu Lab at the lower load. Compare across brands with care: the same material name hides different formulations, as the 13 °C spread between the two ABS products shows.

Warping and the enclosure

Both materials shrink as they cool, which is the root of their warping. Prusa puts the shrinkage of ABS at around 1–2% and suggests printing a test object to compare with the model [2]; the shrinkage calculator turns that measurement into a slicer setting.

Every source treats an enclosure as the main defence. Bambu Lab lists ABS and ASA among the materials that need higher bed and chamber temperatures to suppress warping and layer separation, and recommends an enclosed printer for them [4]. Prusa asks for at least 100 °C on the bed and an enclosure for both, and offers PrusaSlicer’s draft shield as a fallback for open printers [2, 3]. Prusa also notes that long prints in a hot, closed enclosure can deform a printer’s own plastic parts, such as the fan shroud [3].

Bambu Lab’s plate table gives the same 90–100 °C bed range for ABS and ASA on its Engineering, Smooth PEI and Textured PEI plates, and does not recommend its Cool Plate for either [4]. Prusa recommends its smooth or powder-coated PEI sheet with a glue stick for both [2, 3].

For corners that still lift, see warping; for cracks between layers on tall parts, see layer separation.

Fumes and ventilation

Safety: Prusa says both materials release fumes and substances, including styrene, that could pose a potential health risk, and recommends printing them in a well-ventilated room without creating a draft around the print [2, 3]. Bambu Lab’s safety tips for ASA ask for a well-ventilated area or an effective air filtration or exhaust system, recommend an enclosed printer, and advise more ventilation or pausing when people with respiratory conditions, pregnant women or children are present [1]. Follow the safety data sheet of the specific filament you use.

Odor is the one printing difference users notice: Bambu Lab calls ASA’s odor notably lighter than ABS’s [1].

Choosing

If the part… Choose
lives outdoors: mounts, signs, garden or car exterior parts ASA
must keep its color in sunlight ASA
is indoors and cost matters ABS
will be acetone-smoothed or glued either; Prusa covers both [2, 3]
must survive more heat than ASA’s HDT look at polycarbonate or filled nylons on the heat resistance page

If the part only needs moderate warmth and no enclosure is available, PETG is the usual compromise; see PLA vs PETG.

All 18 products in the database

Values as each manufacturer publishes them (ABS, ASA). Filter by grade or brand, or click a column heading to sort; "not published" sorts last.
Source
Bambu LabABSABS240–27080–1001.0580 °C, 8 h87 °C @ 0.45 MPa
84 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[5]
Bambu LabASAASA240–27080–1001.0580 °C, 8 h100 °C @ 0.45 MPa
92 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[6]
ElegooABSABS240–28090–1001.0565–75 °C, 8 h85 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[9]
ElegooASAASA240–27090–1001.0975–85 °C, 8 h99 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[10]
eSUNABS+ABS230–27095–1101.06not published73 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[11]
eSUNASA+ASA240–27090–1101.00not published88 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[11]
HatchboxABSABS210–240not publishednot publishednot publishednot publishednot published[12]
OvertureABSABS245–26580–1001.1575 °C, 7 h98 °Cnot published[13, 14]
OvertureASAASA240–27070–951.1475 °C, 7 hnot publishednot published[15, 16]
PolymakerPolyLite ABSABS245–26590–1001.0470 °C, 6 h100 °C @ 0.45 MPa
98 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[7]
PolymakerASAASA230–26075–951.1370 °C, 7 h103 °C @ 0.45 MPa
100 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[8]
PrusamentASAASA250–270105–1151.0780 °C, 4 h93 °C @ 0.45 MPa
86 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[17, 18]
Siraya TechFibreheart ABS-CFABS-CF250–270100–1101.0670–80 °C, 4–6 h99 °C @ 0.45 MPa
94 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[19]
Siraya TechFibreheart ABS-GFABS-GF250–270100–1101.0865 °C, 4–6 h93 °C
97 °C		not published[20]
Siraya TechFibreheart ASA-GFASA-GF250–270100–1101.1070–80 °C, 4–6 h98 °C @ 0.45 MPa
94 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[21]
Siraya TechFibreheart ABS HT HFABS240–260100–1101.0570–80 °C, 4–6 h101 °C @ 0.45 MPa
99 °C @ 1.8 MPa		not published[22]
SunluABSABS250–29080–1001.0275–85 °C, 6–8 h95 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[23, 24]
SunluASAASA250–28080–1001.0480 °C, 6–8 h101 °C @ 0.45 MPanot published[24, 25]

Questions

Does ASA smell less than ABS?

Bambu Lab says both may release pungent, unpleasant odors during printing but that ASA's odor is notably lighter [1], and Prusa says ASA doesn't smell as much as ABS [3]. Both makers still recommend a well-ventilated room for both materials [2, 3].

Can I acetone-smooth both?

Yes. Prusa describes acetone vapor smoothing and acetone gluing for both ABS and ASA [2, 3]. Prusa also warns not to put acetone or dissolved ABS/ASA on its powder-coated sheets [3].

Sources

  1. ASA product page. Bambu Lab. Product page. FAQ: composition of ABS vs ASA, UV and weather resistance, odor, warping, enclosure, safety tips. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  2. ABS. Prusa Knowledge Base. Manufacturer documentation. Temperatures, enclosure, ventilation, 1–2% shrinkage, yellowing outdoors, acetone smoothing. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  3. ASA. Prusa Knowledge Base. Manufacturer documentation. UV resistance, warping, enclosure, draft shield, ventilation, acetone. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  4. Filament guide: printer, nozzle, AMS, build plate, glue compatibility and required parameters. Bambu Lab Wiki. Manufacturer documentation. ABS and ASA need an enclosed printer; plate temperatures. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  5. Bambu ABS Technical Data Sheet (V3.0). Bambu Lab. Technical data sheet. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  6. Bambu ASA Technical Data Sheet (V3.0). Bambu Lab. Technical data sheet. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  7. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5). Polymaker. Technical data sheet. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  8. Polymaker ASA Technical Data Sheet (V6.0). Polymaker. Technical data sheet. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  9. ELEGOO ABS product page: Specifications. ELEGOO. Product page. Specifications section: drying, recommended printing settings, physical properties (density, Vicat, HDT at 0.45 MPa) and X-Y/Z mechanical properties; no test standards named. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  10. ELEGOO ASA product page: Specifications. ELEGOO. Product page. Specifications section: drying, recommended printing settings, physical properties (density, Vicat, HDT at 0.45 MPa) and X-Y/Z mechanical properties; no test standards named. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  11. Product Comparison. eSUN (official store). Product page. Values appear after choosing a product in the comparison tool: density, HDT at 0.45 MPa, melt flow index, Z tensile strength, X-Y flexural and Izod values, extruder and bed temperature, fan, print speed, build surfaces and printing recommendations; no test standards named. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  12. Black ABS Filament - 1.75mm, 1kg Spool. HATCHBOX. Product page. Print temperature 210–240 °C. Page text read via the store's public /products/<handle>.js endpoint; the HTML page returns 403 to automated requests. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  13. OVERTURE ABS Technical Data Sheet (Version 5.1, August 2024). Overture 3D. Technical data sheet. Recommended printing conditions, physical and mechanical properties of 3D-printed specimens (100% infill). Accessed October 12, 2026.
  14. Overture ABS 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm (product page). Overture 3D. Product page. Specs tab drying setting; description states heat deflection up to 98 °C and different nozzle/bed settings. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  15. OVERTURE ASA Technical Data Sheet (Version 5.1, August 2024). Overture 3D. Technical data sheet. Recommended printing conditions, physical and mechanical properties of 3D-printed specimens (100% infill). Accessed October 12, 2026.
  16. Overture ASA 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm (product page). Overture 3D. Product page. Specs tab drying setting. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  17. Prusament ASA Technical Datasheet (v1.1, 20-05-2024). Prusa Polymers. Technical data sheet. Recommended print settings, typical material properties and mechanical properties of printed test specimens. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  18. Drying filament. Prusa Knowledge Base. Manufacturer documentation. Drying temperature and time table for Prusament materials; spool temperature limits. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  19. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF TDS. Siraya Tech. Technical data sheet. Print settings, chamber temperature, drying, property data. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  20. Fibreheart ABS-GF Filament TDS. Siraya Tech. Technical data sheet. Print settings, drying, property data. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  21. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ASA-GF TDS. Siraya Tech. Technical data sheet. Print settings, chamber temperature, drying, property data. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  22. Fibreheart ABS HT HF Filament TDS. Siraya Tech. Technical data sheet. Print settings, chamber temperature, drying, property data. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  23. SUNLU ABS Technical Data Sheet (SL-TE-WI-068, version A/1). SUNLU. Technical data sheet. Recommended printing parameters with drying temperature; ISO 75 HDT at 0.45 MPa, ISO 306 Vicat, ISO 1183 density and ISO 527-2 X-Y tensile results from printed specimens. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  24. Material Performance Comparison. SUNLU Wiki. Manufacturer documentation. Detailed specification table for the SUNLU line, including drying temperature and drying time per product. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  25. SUNLU ASA Technical Data Sheet (SL-TE-WI-059, version A/1). SUNLU. Technical data sheet. Recommended printing parameters with drying temperature; ISO 75 HDT at 0.45 MPa, ISO 306 Vicat, ISO 1183 density and ISO 527-2 X-Y tensile results from printed specimens. Accessed October 12, 2026.