ASA vs.

ABS

How to Choose the Right General-Purpose Thermoplastic

for Your Fortus 3D Production Systems

Offering a variety of production-grade

thermoplastics, FDM technology
creates parts that are highly accurate,
tough and suitable for both functional
prototyping and end-use parts. ABS
is the most common material used as
it boasts good mechanical properties
and high name recognition. Compared
with ASA, ABS may be more familiar
because of its popularity in mass
production.
ASA is a thermoplastic, poised to
become the most popular all-purpose
prototyping material for operators of
Fortus 360mc, 380mc, 400mc,
450mc and 900mc 3D Production
Systems. ASA matches or exceeds
the mechanical properties of standard
ABS and has greater heat resistance.
Moreover, ASA demonstrates
exceptional UV stability and, with its
matte finish, offers the best aesthetics
of any FDM thermoplastic. Its
especially suited for end-use parts in
outdoor commercial and infrastructure
applications, and its wide array of color
options surpasses that of ABS.

ASA
ASA vs.
vs. ABS
ABS
Material:
Material:

ABS-M30
ABS-M30

System Availability
System Availability

Layer Thickness:
Layer Thickness:
0.013 inch (0.330 mm)
0.013 inch (0.330 mm)
0.010 inch (0.254 mm)
0.010 inch (0.254 mm)
0.007 inch (0.178 mm)
0.007 inch (0.178 mm)
0.005 inch (0.127 mm)
0.005 inch (0.127 mm)
Support Structure
Support Structure
Available Colors
Available Colors

Soluble
Soluble
Ivory
Ivory
White

Fortus 360mc
Fortus 380mc
360mc
Fortus 400mc
380mc
Fortus 450mc
400mc
Fortus 900mc
450mc
Fortus 900mc

Fortus 360mc
Fortus 380mc
360mc
Fortus 400mc
380mc
Fortus 450mc
400mc
Fortus 900mc
450mc
Fortus 900mc

X
X
X
X
X
X
X1
X1

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

Soluble
Soluble
Black3
3
Black
Dark Gray

Blue
Blue

White
Black
BlackGrey
Dark
Dark Grey
Red
2

Tensile Strength
2
Tensile Strength
2

Tensile Elongation
2
Tensile Elongation
IZOD Impact, unnotched
IZOD Impact, unnotched
Z-Strength Ratio
Z-Strength Ratio
Unique Properties
Unique Properties

ASA
ASA

Dark
Light Gray
Gray
Light Gray
White

Dark Blue
Dark
GreenBlue
Green
Yellow
Yellow
Orange

White
Orange
Ivory
Red
Ivory
Red
XY: 4,720 psi (33 MPa)
Z:
XY:4,300
4,720psi
psi(30
(33MPa)
MPa)
Z:
XY:4,300
9% psi (30 MPa)

Red
XY: 4,680 psi (32 MPa)
Z:
XY:4,055
4,680psi
psi(28
(32MPa)
MPa)
Z: 4,055
XY:
7% psi (28 MPa)
Z:
XY:2%
7%
Z: 2%
5.6 ft-lb/in (299 J/m)
5.6 ft-lb/in (299 J/m)
87%
87%
Variety of color options
Variety of color options

Z:
XY:3%
9%
Z: 3%
6.0 ft-lb/in (321 J/m)
6.0 ft-lb/in (321 J/m)
91%
91%
UV-stable with the best aesthetics of any
FDM
material
UV-stable
with the best aesthetics of any
FDM material

Tests were conducted according to published Stratasys FDM material testing methods, in compliance with the relevant ASTM
standards.
Tests
were conducted according to published Stratasys FDM material testing methods, in compliance with the relevant ASTM
standards.
The information presented are typical values intended for reference and comparison purposes only. They should not be used for
ial performance
can purposes
be impacted
(+/-)
by, should
but notnot
limited
to, part
design
specifications
or quality
controlvalues
purposes.
End-use
material
The
information
presented
are typical
intended
for reference
and comparison
only.
They
be used
for
design, end-use conditions, test conditions, etc. Actual values will
with buildcan
conditions.
Tested
parts
built
on Fortus
400mc
ialvary
performance
be impacted
(+/-)
by, were
but not
limited
to, part
o
change
without
notice.
at
0.010
(0.254
mm)
slice.
Product
specifications
are
subject
to
design, end-use conditions, test conditions, etc. Actual values will vary with build conditions. Tested parts were built on Fortus 400mc
o changetowithout
notice.operating conditions, or end use. Each user
application,
The performance characteristics of these materials may vary according
responsible
for characteristics
determining thatofthe
Stratasys
material
is safe,
lawful, to
and
technicallyoperating
suitable for
the intended
applicati
on, as
well
is
application,
The
performance
these
materials
may vary
according
application,
conditions,
or end
use. Each
user
for identifying
proper disposal
recycling)
method
with
applicable
environmental
laws
and regulations.
Stratasys
as
is responsible
for the
determining
that the(or
Stratasys
material
is consistent
safe, lawful,
and
technically
suitable for the
intended
applicati on,
as well
no
warranties
of
any
kind,
express
or
implied,
including,
makes
but
not
limited
to,
the
warranties
of
merchantability,
fitness
for
a
as for identifying the proper disposal (or recycling) method consistent with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Stratasys
particular
or warranty
patent infringement.
makes no use,
warranties
of anyagainst
kind, express
or implied, including,
1
particular
use, or warranty
patent infringement.
Build orientation
is on sideagainst
long edge.
1
2Build

orientation
is on side
long edge.
Literature
value unless
otherwise
noted.
value unless
otherwise
noted.
Material properties
listed
are for ivory;
some values vary slightly in black.
Material properties listed are for ivory; some values vary slightly in black.

Stratasys | www.stratasys.com | info@stratasys.com

Stratasys | www.stratasys.com | info@stratasys.com

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Fortus systems are based on FDM

Fortus systems are based on FDM
technology. FDM uses productiontechnology. FDM uses productiongrade thermoplastics, enabling the
grade thermoplastics, enabling the
most durable parts. Fortus systems
most durable parts. Fortus systems
use a wide range of thermoplastics
use a wide range of thermoplastics
with advanced mechanical properties
with advanced mechanical properties
so your parts can endure high heat,
so your parts can endure high heat,
caustic chemicals, sterilization and
caustic chemicals, sterilization and
high-impact applications.
high-impact applications.

No special facilities needed

No special facilities needed

You can install a Fortus 3D Production

You can install a Fortus 3D Production
System just about anywhere. No
System just about anywhere. No
special venting is required because
special venting is required because
Fortus systems dont produce noxious
Fortus systems dont produce noxious
fumes, chemicals or waste.
fumes, chemicals or waste.

No special skills needed

No special skills needed

Fortus 3D Production Systems are

Fortus 3D Production Systems are
easy to operate and maintain compared
easy to operate and maintain compared
to other additive fabrication systems
to other additive fabrication systems
because there are no messy powders
because there are no messy powders
to handle and contain. Theyre so
to handle and contain. Theyre so
simple, an operator can be trained to
simple, an operator can be trained to
operate a Fortus system in less than 30
operate a Fortus system in less than 30
minutes.
minutes.

Get your benchmark on the

Get your
benchmark on the
future
of manufacturing
future of manufacturing

2
3Literature
3

At the core:
At the core:
Advanced
FDM technology
Advanced FDM technology

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2015 Stratasys Inc. All rights reserved. Stratasys, FDM, Fortus, Finishing Touch, FDM Technology, Fused Deposition Modeling,
Fortus
250mc,
360mc,
Fortus FDM,
380mc,
FortusFinishing
400mc, Touch,
Fortus 450mc,
Fortus 900mc,
Insight,
Control
Center,
Fortus 200mc,
2015
Stratasys
Inc. All
rightsFortus
reserved.
Stratasys,
Fortus,
FDM Technology,
Fused
Deposition
Modeling,
Inc.
Smart
Supports,
ABSplus,
ABS-ESD7,
ABS-M30
and TouchWorks
are900mc,
trademarks
of Control
Stratasys,
FDM
FortusTeam,
200mc,
Fortus
250mc,SR-30,
Fortus SR-100,
360mc, Fortus
380mc,
Fortus 400mc,
Fortus
450mc, Fortus
Insight,
Center,
*ULTEM
is
a
trademark
of
SABIC
Innovative
Plastics
IP
BV.
All
other
trademarks
are
the
property
of
their
respective
owners,
and
FDM Team, Smart Supports, SR-30, SR-100, ABSplus, ABS-ESD7, ABS-M30 and TouchWorks are trademarks of Stratasys, Inc.
no responsibility
with regard
to theIPselection,
performance,
orare
usethe
of these
non-Stratasys
products.
Product
Stratasysisassumes
*ULTEM
a trademark
of SABIC Innovative
Plastics
BV. All other
trademarks
property
of their respective
owners,
and
specifications
subject
change without
in the USA.
SSYS-ABSvsASABrochure-01-15
SSYS-ABSvsASABrochure-A4-EN-0115
Stratasys assumes
notoresponsibility
withnotice.
regardPrinted
to the selection,
performance,
or use of these non-Stratasys products. Product
USA. SSYS-ABSvsASABrochure-A4-EN-0115

Fine details. Smooth surface finishes.

Accuracy. Strength. The best way to
Accuracy. Strength. The best way to
see the advantages of a Fortus 3D
see the advantages of a Fortus 3D
Production System is to have your own
Production System is to have your own
part built on a Fortus system. Get your
part built on a Fortus system. Get your
free part at: stratasys.com.
free part at: stratasys.com.