Prusament ASA
Manufactured by Prusa Polymers
Quick Summary
This Prusament ASA review is about one job done very well: surviving the outdoors. ASA is essentially UV-stable ABS — it resists sunlight, weather, and heat up to about 93 °C, warps less than ABS, and smells less while printing. Prusament’s ±0.03 mm tolerance and batch QR data make a tricky material as predictable as it gets.
Print Settings
Prusa specifies 260 ± 10 °C nozzle with the bed at 105 °C first layer / 110 °C after, in an enclosure with the part fan off or minimal. Those hot, draft-free conditions keep the part above its warping threshold. The consistent diameter makes flow and retraction easy to lock in.
Print Quality
Layer adhesion is excellent and parts come out tough and weatherproof. Where ABS yellows and embrittles in sunlight, ASA holds color and strength for years outdoors — ideal for automotive trim, sensor housings, and garden hardware. It also acetone-smooths like ABS.
Where It Falls Short
It needs an enclosure and a very hot bed, so it is not beginner-friendly, and it is priced as a premium material. Like ABS it emits fumes worth ventilating.
Verdict
For anything that lives in the sun or weather, Prusament ASA is the right tool — predictable, durable, and genuinely UV-stable. Indoors, cheaper ABS or PETG will save you money and hassle.
- Prusament ASA vs esun abs plus — eSUN ABS+ is cheaper and tough, but degrades in sunlight; Prusament ASA is the pick whenever UV and weather resistance matter.
- Prusament ASA vs polylite abs — PolyLite ABS smooths with acetone and costs less; Prusament ASA holds up outdoors where ABS yellows and becomes brittle.
Is ASA better than ABS for outdoor parts?
Yes. ASA is far more UV-resistant than ABS, warps less, and smells less, while offering similar strength and heat resistance up to about 93 °C. For anything living in sunlight or weather, ASA is the better choice.
What temperature should I print Prusament ASA at?
Prusa specifies 260 ± 10 °C nozzle and a 105–110 °C bed (105 °C first layer, 110 °C after). Use an enclosure and keep the part fan off or minimal to prevent warping and cracking.
Do I need an enclosure for ASA?
For reliable results, yes. Like ABS, ASA shrinks as it cools and benefits from a stable, warm chamber. It warps less than ABS, but an enclosure still dramatically improves large prints.