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ABS vs ASA: strength, heat and cost

ABS starts to bend under load at 87 °C and ASA at 100 °C. Compare strength, print settings, drying and price per gram from Bambu Lab's datasheets.

Which to choose

These two print on the same settings, so the choice is where the part will live. Choose ASA for outdoors: Bambu Lab sells it for long exposure to sun and weather, and it holds its shape at a higher temperature. Choose ABS for a part that stays indoors: it costs much less per gram and takes an impact across the layers better.

Side by side

ABSBambu Lab TDSASABambu Lab TDS
Heat deflection87 °C100 °C
Tensile strength, along layers33 MPa37 MPa
Tensile strength, across layers28 MPa31 MPa
Impact strength, along layers39.3 kJ/m²41 kJ/m²
Impact strength, across layers7.4 kJ/m²4.9 kJ/m²
Water absorption0.65%0.45%
Price per gram$0.016$0.030
Length per kilogram396 m396 m
Nozzle240–270 °C240–270 °C
Bed80–100 °C80–100 °C
Chamber45–60 °C45–60 °C
Drying80 °C, 8 h80 °C, 8 h

Every figure is from Bambu Lab’s own datasheets, because one lab’s tests compare with each other and two labs’ tests may not. In bold is the side ahead on that row. Other makers’ settings are in the temperature chart, and any other pair is in the filament comparison.

Each material in full

Other comparisons

Keep these numbers for every print

Printyard runs this arithmetic on your phone at the machine and on the web: every quote itemised, every roll to the gram, and a month with the fees and the failed prints already taken out.

Price your shopDownload on the App Store

Sources