Published on Thu Feb 29 2024 17:05:41 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Alex

Prusament ASA Anthracite Grey: A Deep Dive

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is steadily gaining popularity in the 3D printing world, offering a robust alternative to ABS with improved UV resistance and less warping. Prusament’s ASA Anthracite Grey is a filament that promises reliability and quality, backing the reputation of the Prusa brand. Let’s take a closer look.

Specifications

Material: Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA)
Color: Anthracite Grey (A deep, dark grey, approaching black)
Diameter: Typically 1.75mm (Prusament is known for its tight tolerances)
Recommended Nozzle Temperature: 250-260°C
Recommended Bed Temperature: 80-100°C
Density: ~1.07 g/cm³
Tensile Strength: ~42 MPa
Elongation at Break: ~20%
Spool Size: Typically 1kg
Spool Material: Cardboard (environmentally friendly)

Understanding ASA: Key Advantages

ASA excels in applications where parts will be exposed to the elements. Its key strengths lie in:

UV Resistance: Far superior to ABS, meaning parts won’t yellow or become brittle when exposed to sunlight.
High Impact Strength: ASA offers good impact resistance, making it suitable for functional parts.
Temperature Resistance: ASA can withstand higher temperatures compared to PLA.
Dimensional Stability: ASA exhibits less warping than ABS, although it’s still a factor to consider.

Usage Tips for Prusament ASA Anthracite Grey

Successfully printing with ASA requires careful attention to detail. Here are some tips to maximize your results:

Enclosure is Highly Recommended: An enclosure helps maintain a consistent temperature around the print, significantly reducing warping and layer separation.
Bed Adhesion: ASA needs excellent bed adhesion. Consider using a brim, raft, or adhesive like Magigoo or a diluted PVA glue stick. Textured PEI sheets often work well. A clean bed is crucial. Wipe it down with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) before each print.
First Layer is Key: Ensure your first layer is dialed in perfectly. Too close, and you’ll get elephant’s foot; too far, and you’ll have adhesion issues.
Print Speed: Reduce your print speed, especially for the first few layers. This allows the material to adhere properly and reduces stress.
Cooling: Minimal cooling is generally recommended. Too much cooling can lead to warping. Consider turning off the fan for the first few layers and then using a low fan speed (10-20%) for the remainder of the print.
Ventilation: ASA emits fumes during printing, so ensure adequate ventilation in your workspace.
Dry Filament is Essential: ASA is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. Store your filament in a dry box with desiccant when not in use. If you suspect your filament has absorbed moisture, dry it in a filament dryer or oven (at a low temperature, around 45-50°C) before printing.
Seam Placement: Experiment with seam placement to minimize its visibility.
Support Settings: Use appropriate support settings. Support interface layers can help with easy removal and a smoother surface finish.
Consider a Draft Shield: A draft shield (a single-layer wall around your part) can help further reduce warping, especially for larger prints.
Surface Finishing: ASA can be sanded, painted, and vapor smoothed (using acetone, although this requires caution and proper ventilation).

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Warping: The most common issue. Address this by using an enclosure, a heated bed, improved bed adhesion, reduced cooling, and a slower print speed.
Layer Separation (Delamination): Caused by insufficient bed adhesion, incorrect temperature settings, or drafts. Ensure your bed is clean, your temperature is correct, and your enclosure is maintaining a consistent temperature.
Stringing: Caused by excessive nozzle temperature or retraction settings that are too low. Reduce nozzle temperature or increase retraction.
Clogging: Often due to moisture in the filament or incorrect temperature settings. Dry your filament and ensure your nozzle temperature is appropriate.
Elephant’s Foot: Caused by the first layer being too close to the bed. Adjust your Z-offset.

Prusament ASA Anthracite Grey Filament Rating:

Here’s a breakdown of Prusament ASA Anthracite Grey filament rated out of 10, based on common user experience:

Print Quality: 8/10 - With proper settings, excellent surface finish and detail can be achieved.
Toughness: 9/10 - ASA is known for its high impact resistance.
Flexibility: 3/10 - ASA is not a flexible material; it is rigid.
Warping: 6/10 - Better than ABS, but still requires careful attention.
Adhesion: 7/10 - Good adhesion to the bed with proper preparation.
Moisture Sensitivity: 7/10 - Requires proper storage to prevent moisture absorption.
Color Range: 5/10 - As a single color filament, color range isn’t a factor, but the Anthracite Grey is a versatile shade.
Temperature Range: 8/10 - A wide temperature range is needed, but ASA can withstand elevated temperatures.
Odor & Fumes: 6/10 - Produces noticeable fumes; ventilation is necessary.
Spool Winding Quality: 10/10 - Prusament is known for excellent spool winding.