Soft TPU vs ASA

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

Soft TPU vs ASA: Soft TPU is known for very flexible, while ASA is known for excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely). Soft TPU is easier to print; ASA is less moisture-sensitive; ASA prints at higher nozzle temperatures (220-275°C vs 200-220°C). Choose Soft TPU for very flexible, or ASA for excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely).

Key differences at a glance

Property
Soft TPU
ASA
Nozzle temp
200-220°C
220-275°C
Bed temp
30-50°C
90-110°C
Enclosure needed
No
Recommended
Ease of printing
Easy
Moderate
Moisture sensitivity
high
moderate

Soft TPU

C

Low durometer TPU (~80A)

Very flexible

ASA

A

Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate

Excellent UV resistance (outdoors indefinitely), tough, matte surface

Detailed Comparison

Property
Soft TPU
ASA
Tier Rating
Tier C
Tier A
Family
Flexible
ASA
Nozzle Temp
200-220°C
220-275°C
Bed Temp
30-50°C
90-110°C
Enclosure
not needed
recommended
Cooling
Low cooling
Low to moderate; avoid drafts
Moisture Sensitivity
high
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

Soft TPU Strengths

  • Very flexible

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

Soft TPU Caveats

  • Can tangle around drive gear
  • Uncomfortable for wearables (doesn't breathe; gets sweaty)

ASA Caveats

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Soft TPU and ASA?
Soft TPU prints at 200-220°C nozzle / 30-50°C bed (No enclosure, high moisture sensitivity). ASA prints at 220-275°C nozzle / 90-110°C bed (Recommended enclosure, moderate moisture sensitivity).
Is Soft TPU or ASA stronger?
Our dataset does not include comparable tensile strength values for both. Qualitatively, Soft TPU is suited to very flexible, while ASA is suited to excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely).
Which prints at a higher temperature, Soft TPU or ASA?
ASA prints at a higher temperature (220-275°C nozzle vs 200-220°C for Soft TPU).
Is Soft TPU or ASA better for beginners?
Soft TPU is better for beginners: enclosure is no and moisture sensitivity is high, vs recommended enclosure and moderate moisture for ASA.
Should I use Soft TPU or ASA for flexible parts?
For flexible parts, Soft TPU is usually the better fit (Very flexible). Choose ASA instead when excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely).

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