ASA 3D Printing: Best Setup and Printing Tips

Acrylonitrile– Styrene Acrylate (also known as ASA) is an engineering thermoplastic with a molecular structure similar to the very popular and commonly used Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (also known as ABS). ASA is known for its high impact and good chemical resistance. It resists high temperatures (the softening temperature is 105°C) and has good dimensional stability.

AndCompared to ABS, ASA is UV stable and maintains its appearance and strength even when exposed to sunlight and water for extended periods. It can be used in many common products, including automotive parts (bumper covers and side mirror housings), gutters and drainage pipes, and outdoor furniture.

Then Mohou.com will learn with everyone3D printingSome advantages and disadvantages of ASA, then let’s introduce the conditions necessary to print with this material, both from a hardware and software point of view.

A,ASAAdvantages and disadvantages：

Thanks to its UV resistance,ASA is ideal for car dashboard cup holders (Source: Fillamentum)

Polylactic acid (PLA) can be FDM 3DThe most commonly used material in printing, whileABS is often used in high-strength applications such as functional or exterior parts. Unfortunately, ABS has some printability flaws that are also present in ASA due to their common heritage. However, these disadvantages are less present in ASA, making this material easier to print.

advantage

UV resistant (ideal for outdoor use)

Robust and durable

Shock and temperature resistant

Good resistance to chemicals and water

Good overall finish

Soluble in acetone (for bonding and smoothing)

default

Requires higher extruder and bed temperatures

existEasy to deform, crack and shrink during the 3D printing process

May produce hazardous fumes

pricehigher

2. Hardware requirements

ASA requires all-metal hot ends for higher temperatures (Source: Amazon)

Consider usingBefore ASA, please make sure your 3D printer meets the following hardware requirements. This will definitely save you a lot of trouble in the future.

Heated bed:It’s a must. Due to the temperature difference between the nozzle and the surrounding air,ASA shrinks and cracks easily. The thermal distortion caused by this difference creates internal tension which can potentially cause problems during the printing process.

Build the surface:Good adhesion of the bed surface toASA is crucial and there are dozens of solutions for it. Many people use Kapton tape, a coating solution (like ABS glue), or standard lacquer. As with any other material that requires good adhesion to the bed surface, make sure your bed surface is always properly leveled.

Enclosed Printer: An enclosed printer is highly recommended, especially when printing large parts. While smaller parts can be printed without a shell, larger models can create significant residual stresses that can eventually lead to cracking and delamination. The case also protects3D printers are protected from airflow, which can certainly cause parts to warp.

High temperature hot end:As long as it can be in GundamPrinting at 260°C eliminates the need for a special hot end. PTFE lined hot ends may not be suitable for longer ASA prints, as PTFE begins to degrade at 250°C. While some brands of ASA filament can print at temperatures below 250°C, an all-metal hotend is undoubtedly a safer choice.

three,Print Settings

Adjusting print settings may be an improvementThe most important steps for ASA printing (Source: All3DP)

If all hardware requirements are met, it’s time to fine-tune your print settings:

Base temperature:ForASA recommends setting the build plate temperature between 90 and 110°C, depending on the filament brand. Filament manufacturers often recommend specific bed temperatures.

Nozzle temperature: The printing temperature of this material is relatively high, usually atBetween 240 and 260°C. For ASA, it is better to print at too high a temperature than too low, because the higher the temperature, the better the adhesion between layers. However, it is recommended to calibrate the nozzle temperature for different brands of filament.

Print speed:Generally speaking, the impressionThe optimal speed of ASA is 40 to 50 mm/s. To improve bed adhesion, try printing the first layer at 25mm/s. However, some adjustments may be necessary to find the speed that suits your specific printing setup.

cool:to useASA printing requires no cooling. In fact, it is generally recommended not to use cooling. However, very low speeds (5% to 10%) can improve drape and overall print quality. We recommend that you first focus on getting the layers to adhere well, and once that is achieved, try using a cooling fan to avoid overheating issues.

Other settingssuch as layer height and fill speed, will depend on your specific printer, filament and project. We recommend using your slicer’s default settings and adjusting them as necessary for best results.

challenge

The deformation can beFrequently asked questions about ABS and ASA printing (Source: Accomplished-One-750, via Reddit)

to usePrinting with ASA presents some difficulties because it is very sensitive to temperature changes. Fortunately, ASA is still easier to print than ABS.

As mentioned before, usePerhaps the most pressing issue regarding ASA is the warping effect and possible release of hazardous vapors.

Chain

Warping occurs when parts do not cool evenly. On how to avoidThere is a lot of information out there about warping when FDM printing, most of it regarding ABS. Since the two materials are very similar, it is best to follow the same advice: avoid wind, make sure the first layer is well adhered, keep the printer calibrated, and as a last resort, use a bill or raft.

smoke

When it comes to fumes, most printed materials release some sort of harmful substance during the extrusion process. The most famous is undoubtedlyABS, which releases both dangerous gas molecules and nanoparticles. Although printing with ASA is not as troublesome as ABS, it does require some preparation and caution. Additionally, this process can be very odorous, mainly due to the presence of styrene.

Adequate ventilation and the use of masks, where appropriate, are strongly recommended.