ABS vs ASA Filament: Which One Should You Buy?

Buy ABS when the part needs impact resistance and heat resistance for functional use, and judge ASA against the same stated specs before choosing it. That answers the abs vs asa filament question as far as the listings below go: all four filaments featured here are ABS, so this guide sets out the ABS case in full, then gives the checklist for comparing an ASA listing on equal terms.

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abs vs asa filament: the core difference

The listings describe ABS as a thermoplastic engineering plastic for functional prints. The listings below describe impact resistance, heat resistance and durable parts for prototypes, mechanical parts, robotics, tools, fixtures and replacement parts, plus drone mounts, protective cases, rugged outdoor gear and industrial tools.

The other half of the keyword is ASA. No ASA filament appears among the four listings below, so this guide makes no claim about a specific ASA spool. Instead, compare an ASA listing on the same stated points the ABS listings give: heat resistance figure, enclosure guidance, nozzle and bed temperatures, diameter tolerance and spool size. A listing that states none of those leaves the comparison guesswork, whatever material it names.

What ABS gives you

On heat, the listings state two figures with different labels. ELEGOO states its ABS withstands high temperatures (up to 85 °C) and resists water. Polymaker states a Vicat softening temperature of 104°C for its ABS. The figures carry different labels, so compare them as stated rather than as a single ranking.

Impact resistance runs through all four listings. ELEGOO claims excellent impact resistance and durability. Polymaker claims high strength, impact resistance and heat resistance. SUNLU describes ABS that withstands long-term use without breaking or deforming when impacted or squeezed. Creality claims excellent impact resistance and heat resistance, with tough, hard, rigid prints and no layer separation or warped edges.

Three of the four listings point at enclosed printing. ELEGOO says an enclosed 3D printer is required and recommends drying out before use. Polymaker recommends an enclosed printing chamber to keep the printing environment stable and reduce warping, especially for larger parts, and says to dry filament that absorbed moisture at 70°C for approximately 6 hours. SUNLU recommends using an enclosure during printing. Creality states no enclosure requirement and says to store the filament in a dry and ventilated environment.

Stated print settings differ by spool. Polymaker lists a nozzle temperature of 245–265°C and a bed temperature of 90–100°C with the cooling fan turned off. SUNLU lists a nozzle print temperature of 250-260℃, a print platform temperature of 80-100℃, a printing speed of 40-60mm/s, a retraction distance of 5mm and a retraction speed of 50mm/s. ELEGOO and Creality state no nozzle or bed temperatures in their listings.

All four are 1.75 mm filament. Polymaker states dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm, while SUNLU and Creality state +/- 0.02mm. ELEGOO and Polymaker describe vacuum-sealed packing, and Polymaker adds desiccant.

The gear, ranked

The four spools below are ranked by stated specs: heat figures, print settings, tolerance and warranty terms.

Polymaker ABS Filament White 1KG

The Polymaker spool leads on stated detail: a Vicat softening temperature of 104°C, a nozzle temperature of 245–265°C, a bed temperature of 90–100°C with the cooling fan turned off, drying guidance of 70°C for approximately 6 hours, and dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm. It also claims low odor from a specialty bulk-polymerized ABS resin with lower volatile content than traditional ABS resins. Who it is for: a maker printing functional prototypes, mechanical parts, robotics, tools, fixtures or replacement parts who wants the fullest stated settings. Who should skip it: a maker who wants a multi-kilogram set, since this listing is a single 1 kg spool.

ELEGOO ABS 1.75mm Black 1KG

The ELEGOO spool pairs impact resistance with a stated heat figure: it withstands high temperatures (up to 85 °C) and resists water, and the listing names drone mounts, protective cases, rugged outdoor gear and industrial tools. It is a 1 kg spool of 1.75 mm filament, vacuum-sealed, with an enclosed printer required and drying out recommended before use. Who it is for: a maker printing tough functional parts who already runs an enclosed printer. Who should skip it: a maker without an enclosed printer, since the listing requires one.

SUNLU ABS Filament 1.75mm, 4 kg

The SUNLU listing is a 4 kg set with full stated print parameters: a nozzle print temperature of 250-260℃, a print platform temperature of 80-100℃, a printing speed of 40-60mm/s, a retraction distance of 5mm and a retraction speed of 50mm/s, plus a diameter tolerance of +/- 0.02 mm. The listing recommends using an enclosure during printing. Who it is for: a maker who prints a lot of ABS and wants a 4 kg set with stated settings. Who should skip it: a maker who wants a single spool, since this listing is a 4 kg set.

Creality ABS 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm, 4-Pack

The Creality listing is a 4-pack (4 kg) of black ABS with a diameter accuracy of +/-0.02mm, claims of odorless and non-toxic printing, and a stated 1 Year warranty plus 12-month and 24 hours after-sales service. Note the spec table names the model PETG while the title and bullets describe an ABS filament; the title and bullets govern. Who it is for: a maker who wants a 4 kg ABS set with a stated warranty term. Who should skip it: a maker who wants stated nozzle and bed temperatures, since this listing states none.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Buying ABS for an open printer: ELEGOO requires an enclosed printer, and Polymaker and SUNLU recommend an enclosure, so match the printer to the listing before ordering.
• Comparing heat figures with different labels: ELEGOO states up to 85 °C and Polymaker states a Vicat softening temperature of 104°C, so compare the labels, not just the numbers.
• Skipping drying: ELEGOO recommends drying out before use, and Polymaker gives drying guidance of 70°C for approximately 6 hours for filament that absorbed moisture.
• Assuming every spool states print settings: ELEGOO and Creality state no nozzle or bed temperatures, while Polymaker and SUNLU do.

abs vs asa filament: the short version

Buy ABS when the part needs the impact resistance and heat resistance these listings state, and when the printer matches the listing’s enclosure guidance. The Polymaker spool leads on stated settings, the ELEGOO spool pairs a heat figure with water resistance, the SUNLU set adds a 4 kg supply with full print parameters, and the Creality set adds a stated warranty term. For ASA, run the same checklist on its listing: heat resistance figure, enclosure guidance, nozzle and bed temperatures, diameter tolerance and spool size, and buy the material whose stated specs fit the part.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Do I need an enclosed printer for ABS?

ELEGOO requires an enclosed printer, while Polymaker recommends an enclosed printing chamber and SUNLU recommends using an enclosure during printing. Creality states no enclosure requirement in its listing.

What nozzle and bed temperatures do the ABS listings state?

Polymaker lists 245–265°C at the nozzle and 90–100°C at the bed with the cooling fan turned off. SUNLU lists 250-260℃ at the nozzle and 80-100℃ on the print platform. ELEGOO and Creality state no nozzle or bed temperatures.

What heat resistance figures do the listings state?

ELEGOO states its ABS withstands high temperatures (up to 85 °C). Polymaker states a Vicat softening temperature of 104°C. SUNLU and Creality state heat resistance without a temperature figure.

How do I compare an ASA listing with these ABS spools?

Check the same stated points: heat resistance figure, enclosure guidance, nozzle and bed temperatures, diameter tolerance and spool size. The four spools above are all ABS, so an ASA comparison needs its own listing’s stated figures.

Which spool states a warranty term?

Creality states a 1 Year warranty with 12-month and 24 hours after-sales service. ELEGOO, Polymaker and SUNLU state no warranty term in their listings.

Related: the 3D printers hub, FDM 3D printers and PETG vs ABS filament.