Rev1 ASA The UV-Stable, Weatherproof Engineering Filament
The UV-Stable, Weatherproof Engineering Filament
ASA is ABS built for the outdoors: the UV-stable, weatherproof engineering plastic that won’t yellow, fade, or crack in sunlight and weather — while keeping ABS-level heat resistance and impact toughness, plus acetone vapor-smoothing for a glossy, molded-looking finish. It rewards an enclosed printer — in 7 colors, on 1 kg and 3 kg spools. Full specifications →
In stock — ships from Rev1. Need a specific color, a 3 kg spool, or case pricing? Call (248) 707-2950.
Dimension-locked, vacuum-sealed, supported by humans.
Rev1 ASA is precision-extruded 1.75 mm filament, wound evenly and vacuum-sealed with desiccant, then stocked and supported from Auburn Hills, Michigan.
When the part has to live outside.
PLA yellows and softens in the sun; PETG holds up but flexes. ASA is the UV-stable, weatherproof engineering plastic that shrugs off sunlight, rain, and heat without fading, chalking, or cracking — while matching ABS on impact toughness and heat resistance, and taking an acetone vapor-smooth, injection-molded finish. The trade-off is that ASA wants an enclosed, draft-free printer — give it that and Rev1 ASA makes durable, weatherproof parts in 7 colors.
Even diameter and a clean wind for reliable, warp-free runs.
Round, consistent 1.75 mm filament feeds smoothly so long enclosed prints don’t fail.
Every Rev1 ASA spool is wound evenly and held to a tight diameter, so it feeds without under-extrusion across a full 1 kg or 3 kg run. Vacuum-sealed with desiccant to arrive dry — so it prints clean straight out of the bag.
Won’t yellow, fade, chalk, or crack in sunlight and weather — the go-to for parts that live outside.
Holds its shape in hot cars, enclosures, and near motors — far past where PLA and PETG soften.
Stiff and impact-resistant — a strong choice for functional, load-bearing outdoor parts.
In-stock colors ship fast from Michigan; made-to-order colors ship in 1–3 weeks.
Print settings for clean, crack-free ASA.
ASA rewards a stable, draft-free environment. An enclosure, a hot bed, and minimal part cooling are what keep corners down and layers bonded.
Hotter than PETG for strong layer adhesion; a 0.4 mm brass nozzle is fine.
A hot bed plus glue or an adhesive sheet prevents the corners from lifting.
An enclosure holds chamber heat and blocks drafts — the #1 fix for warping and cracking.
ASA emits a mild styrene odor while printing — lower than ABS, but still run it in a ventilated space or with filtration.
Recommended slicer settings
A solid starting profile for Rev1 ASA on an enclosed FDM printer. Tune cooling and chamber temperature for your machine.
| Setting | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 240–260 °C | Run hot for strong layer bonding and to reduce cracking. |
| Bed temperature | 90–110 °C | Glue stick or ASA slurry on glass/PEI for a strong first layer. |
| Chamber / enclosure | Warm, draft-free | The single biggest factor in warp- and crack-free ASA. |
| Print speed | 30–60 mm/s | Moderate speeds help interlayer strength. |
| Part cooling fan | 0–20 % | Keep cooling low — too much fan cracks layers. |
| Retraction | 1–5 mm | Direct drive: ~1–2 mm. Tune to control stringing. |
| Nozzle size | 0.4 mm + | Larger nozzles add strength on functional parts. |
| Drying | 65–80 °C · 4–6 h | Only if exposed to humidity; ASA is less hygroscopic than PETG. |
| Post-processing | Acetone vapor | Optional vapor smoothing for a glossy, sealed surface. |
Parts that have to survive sun, rain, and weather.
The go-to material for parts that live outside.
ASA trades PLA's easy printing for real outdoor performance: UV stability, weatherproofing, high heat resistance, genuine impact toughness, and acetone vapor-smoothing. Stocked in 7 colors, 1 kg and 3 kg spools.
Sun and weather? That's ASA's home turf.
UV-stable and impact-tough for exterior trim that won't fade or crack in the sun.
Mirror caps, trim, grille pieces, and exterior body parts that bake in the sun and get rained on — ASA holds its color and its shape where ABS would yellow and PLA would warp.
Weatherproof housings that shrug off sun and rain.
Rigid, UV-stable boxes and cases for outdoor electronics and equipment.
ASA is the outdoor enclosure material — stiff walls, clean snap-fits, and the weather resistance to sit outside for years without chalking, cracking, or fading.
Outdoor mounts and brackets that last.
Dimensionally stable fixtures that stand up to sun, heat, and the elements.
Print the rooftop, solar, and outdoor-equipment mounts your install needs — ASA keeps its shape through heat cycles and UV exposure where other filaments soften or go brittle.
Security-camera housings built for the weather.
Sealed, UV-stable shells that protect electronics outdoors year-round.
Outdoor camera and sensor housings live in full sun and driving rain — ASA's weatherproofing keeps them from yellowing or cracking, and acetone vapor-smoothing seals the surface for extra protection.
Outdoor signage that keeps its color.
Color-fast, UV-stable letters and signs that don't fade in the sun.
ASA is the pick for outdoor lettering, plaques, and signage — it stays color-fast under UV, and acetone vapor-smoothing gives it a clean, glossy, molded look that reads sharp from the street.
Planters and yard pieces made to stay outside.
Tough enough for real-world, all-season outdoor use.
Planters, garden fixtures, and outdoor décor that live in the elements — ASA keeps its color and strength through sun, rain, and frost where PLA would fail. Ask us about 3 kg spools and case pricing.
ASA vs. ABS vs. PETG.
Pick by where the part has to live. ASA wins outdoors on UV and weather; ABS is the shop-floor pick for chemical resistance; PETG is the easy, tough all-rounder.
| Rev1 ASA | ABS | PETG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV / weather resistance | Excellent — won’t yellow | Poor (yellows, chalks) | Fair |
| Heat resistance | High (~100 °C) | High (~100 °C) | Medium (~75 °C) |
| Toughness | Rigid, impact-tough | Rigid, impact-tough | Tough, some flex |
| Smoothing | Acetone vapor | Acetone vapor | Limited |
| Enclosure | Recommended | Recommended | Not needed |
| Best for | Outdoor / UV parts | Chemical resistance / indoor functional | Easy / everyday tough parts |
General material guidance; exact performance depends on part geometry, print settings, and grade. For sustained higher temperatures, consider PC or PA (nylon).
Rev1 ASA Technical Data
Mechanical & thermal properties
Typical values for engineering reference. Printed-part performance varies with wall count, infill, layer height, and orientation — treat these as material-level guidance, not a part spec.
| Property | Typical Value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | ~40 MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | ~20 % | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength | ~65 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Flexural modulus | ~2,100 MPa | ISO 178 |
| Izod impact (notched) | ~10 kJ/m² | ISO 180 |
| Glass transition (Tg) | ~100 °C | DSC |
| Heat deflection (HDT, 0.45 MPa) | ~98 °C | ISO 75 |
| Shelf life (sealed, dry) | 12 months | — |
Specs, profiles, and a human to call.
Your trusted materials partner.
Every spool is checked for tight diameter tolerance and reliable, repeatable printing.
Call (248) 707-2950 and reach people who actually print and support these materials.
Case quantities and standing orders across the full color range.
FAQ
Rev1 ASA — Common Questions
Do I need an enclosure to print ASA?
Strongly recommended. Like ABS, ASA warps and cracks when it cools unevenly or hits a draft. An enclosure holds chamber heat and blocks airflow, which is the single biggest factor in clean, crack-free ASA. A heated bed at 90–110 °C is also essential.
Is ASA really UV-stable and weatherproof?
Yes — that’s ASA’s signature advantage. It resists UV and weather, so parts won’t yellow, fade, chalk, or crack in sunlight and rain the way ABS or PLA do. It’s the go-to material for anything that lives outside: automotive exterior trim, outdoor enclosures, signage, mounts, and garden pieces.
What colors and sizes are available?
A 7-color palette on 1 kg and 3 kg spools. In-stock colors ship fast from Michigan; made-to-order colors ship in 1–3 weeks. Pick your color and spool size in the buy-box, or ask us about case quantities.
How do I stop ASA from warping and cracking?
Enclose the printer, run a 90–110 °C bed with glue or ASA slurry, keep part cooling low or off, and avoid drafts and AC vents. Brims and a warm chamber help large flat parts stay stuck. ASA warps more than PLA or PETG, so the enclosure matters.
Is ASA safe to print indoors?
ASA gives off a mild styrene odor while printing — lower than ABS, but still use it in a ventilated space or with an enclosure and filtration. Many users vent the enclosure outdoors or run a carbon/HEPA filter.
Can I smooth ASA to a glossy finish?
Yes — like ABS, ASA is acetone vapor-smoothable. Controlled exposure to acetone vapor melts the outer surface slightly, leaving a glossy, sealed, injection-molded look that also adds an extra weather seal on outdoor parts.
How heat-resistant is ASA?
ASA holds its shape to roughly 100 °C (glass transition ~100 °C, HDT ~98 °C), well past PLA and PETG — suitable for hot car exteriors, outdoor enclosures, and near-motor parts. For even higher sustained heat, step up to PC or PA (nylon).
When should I use ABS or PETG instead?
For easy indoor prints, PLA or PETG are simpler and don’t need an enclosure. For maximum chemical or heat resistance on indoor functional parts, ABS or PC are the pick. But for anything outdoors — UV, sun, and weather — nothing beats ASA.
Can Rev1 quote bulk or a specific color?
Yes. Tell us the color and quantity and we confirm stock and quote case pricing with standing-order scheduling, usually within one business day. In-stock colors ship fast; made-to-order colors ship in 1–3 weeks. Call (248) 707-2950.