Filament PM ABS vs ASA

Compare Filament PM ABS and ASA filaments side-by-side so you can pick the right one for your 3D printing project.

Filament PM ABS vs ASA: Filament PM ABS is known for fast printing, while ASA is known for excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely). Filament PM ABS is easier to print; Filament PM ABS prints at higher nozzle temperatures (255°C vs 220-275°C). Choose Filament PM ABS for fast printing, or ASA for excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely).

Key differences at a glance

Property
Filament PM ABS
ASA
Nozzle temp
255°C
220-275°C
Bed temp
110°C
90-110°C
Enclosure needed
No
Recommended
Ease of printing
Easy
Moderate
Moisture sensitivity
low
moderate

Detailed Comparison

Property
Filament PM ABS
ASA
Tier Rating
Tier null
Tier A
Family
ABS
ASA
Nozzle Temp
255°C
220-275°C
Bed Temp
110°C
90-110°C
Enclosure
not needed
recommended
Cooling
Low to moderate; avoid drafts
Moisture Sensitivity
low
moderate

Green marks the generally easier or more forgiving option in that row, based on tier, enclosure needs, and moisture sensitivity. It is not always the better choice for a specific job, so weigh it against what your project actually needs.

Strengths Comparison

Filament PM ABS Strengths

  • Fast printing, acetone soluble (weld/vapor smooth), cheap, tough, decent heat resistance
  • Good impact toughness for the price

ASA Strengths

  • Excellent UV resistance (outdoors indefinitely), tough, matte surface
  • Less warping than ABS; low viscosity enables very high speed printing
  • High heat tolerance (~boiling water range)

Considerations

Filament PM ABS Caveats

  • Warps heavily
  • Strong fumes/off-gassing; enclosure plus ventilation recommended
  • Poor UV resistance; yellows and gets brittle outdoors (ASA is the better outdoor/UV choice)

ASA Caveats

  • Still off-gasses; enclosure/ventilation recommended
  • Can still warp; needs tuning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Filament PM ABS and ASA?
Filament PM ABS prints at 255°C nozzle / 110°C bed (No enclosure, low moisture sensitivity). ASA prints at 220-275°C nozzle / 90-110°C bed (Recommended enclosure, moderate moisture sensitivity).
Is Filament PM ABS or ASA stronger?
Our dataset does not include comparable tensile strength values for both. Qualitatively, Filament PM ABS is suited to fast printing, while ASA is suited to excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely).
Which prints at a higher temperature, Filament PM ABS or ASA?
Filament PM ABS prints at a higher temperature (255°C nozzle vs 220-275°C for ASA).
Is Filament PM ABS or ASA better for beginners?
Filament PM ABS is better for beginners: enclosure is no and moisture sensitivity is low, vs recommended enclosure and moderate moisture for ASA.
Should I use Filament PM ABS or ASA for outdoor use?
For outdoor use, ASA is usually the better fit (Excellent UV resistance (outdoors indefinitely)). Choose Filament PM ABS instead when fast printing.

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