ASA · grade
ASA-HI
Properties of the HI condition, compared with the other ASA grades.
Choose the impact-modified grade with higher acrylate rubber content for outdoor structural parts needing 40% elongation or toughness at low temperature; modulus stays 1.9 GPa.
What is ASA-HI?
ASA-HI is ASA in the HI grade — choose the impact-modified grade with higher acrylate rubber content for outdoor structural parts needing 40% elongation or toughness at low temperature; modulus stays 1.9 GPa. ASA-HI has a yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi). ASA-HI has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F). Unfilled is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HI is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good UV / weathering resistance — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 78% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 70/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades
ASA-HI properties
Typical room-temperature values for ASA-HI — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every ASA grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
ASA-HI has a density of 1.07 g/cm³ (0.0387 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 105°C (221 °F).
Mechanical15
ASA-HI has a yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 1.9 GPa (0.276 Msi).
Thermal11
ASA-HI is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 85 µm/m·K (47.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
ASA-HI is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 80% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ASA-HI takes about 96 MJ of energy and emits 3.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
ASA-HI's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other ASA grades and fills
ASA is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the ASA overview.
- UnfilledDefaultChoose the natural unfilled injection or extrusion grade for general housings and outdoor parts: ABS-level mechanicals at 47 MPa tensile with inherent weather resistance.45 MPa yield · 105 HRR
- GF20Choose 20% glass fiber reinforcement when stiffness of 5.5 GPa, creep resistance and lower CTE govern; elongation falls to 3% and impact toughness and surface appearance drop.85 MPa tensile
- HHPick the heat-resistant grade, copolymerized or alloyed for a higher glass transition, for dark automotive exterior parts that heat up under solar load; service to 90 °C.50 MPa tensile
- ASA 3DPUse the 1.75/2.85 mm filament grade optimized for FDM extrusion when outdoor prints need weatherability and less warp than ABS; print in an enclosed, heated chamber.44 MPa tensile
- HIChoose the impact-modified grade with higher acrylate rubber content for outdoor structural parts needing 40% elongation or toughness at low temperature; modulus stays 1.9 GPa.38 MPa yield · 98 HRR
- As PrintedUse for FDM parts as built in the XY orientation, 34 MPa tensile and 1.9 GPa modulus, and design around the anisotropy because Z interlayer strength is markedly lower.34 MPa tensile
Working with ASA-HI
Is ASA easy to machine?
Amorphous and easy to cut with sharp positive-rake tools at high spindle speed and low feed; keep chips clear and cool the cut so frictional heat does not melt and re-weld the surface. Glass-filled grades require carbide tooling.
Can ASA be welded?
Ultrasonic, hot-plate and vibration/friction welding all work, and solvent bonding with MEK or dichloromethane is possible; cyanoacrylate and epoxy adhesives also bond well.
Can ASA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C before moulding, run 230–260 °C melt with 50–80 °C tool, and allow about 0.4–0.7 % shrinkage. Sheet vacuum-thermoforms.
What surface finishes work on ASA?
Weatherability is in the polymer, so outdoor parts often need no paint; high-gloss and grained tool textures reproduce well. Electroplating uses ABS-type pretreatment with slightly lower adhesion than ABS, and acrylic or PU paints can be sprayed.
ASA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| styrenestyrene monomer unit | 55 – 75 | 65 |
| acrylonitrileacrylonitrile monomer unit | 15 – 25 | 21 |
| acrylate rubber (n-butyl acrylate)saturated acrylate rubber graft phase, gives weatherability | 8 – 30 | 14 |
| stabilizers/pigmentsantioxidant/HALS/UV absorber/pigments | 0.2 – 3 | 1 |
ASA-HI — frequently asked
What is ASA-HI used for?
ASA-HI is typically used for outdoor equipment housings, automotive mirror housings and exterior trim, building and window profiles, roof drainage and gutter components, antenna radomes and garden tool bodies. In short: weather resistant tough.
What is the yield strength of ASA-HI?
ASA-HI has a typical yield strength of 38 MPa (5.51 ksi) and a tensile strength of 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) — weaker than 68% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is ASA-HI easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 78% of polymer grades). Amorphous and easy to cut with sharp positive-rake tools at high spindle speed and low feed; keep chips clear and cool the cut so frictional heat does not melt and re-weld the surface. Glass-filled grades require carbide tooling.
Can ASA-HI be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Ultrasonic, hot-plate and vibration/friction welding all work, and solvent bonding with MEK or dichloromethane is possible; cyanoacrylate and epoxy adhesives also bond well.
What surface finishes work on ASA-HI?
Weatherability is in the polymer, so outdoor parts often need no paint; high-gloss and grained tool textures reproduce well. Electroplating uses ABS-type pretreatment with slightly lower adhesion than ABS, and acrylic or PU paints can be sprayed.
Can ASA-HI be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 2–4 h at 80 °C before moulding, run 230–260 °C melt with 50–80 °C tool, and allow about 0.4–0.7 % shrinkage. Sheet vacuum-thermoforms.
What is the maximum service temperature of ASA-HI?
ASA-HI is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between ASA Unfilled and ASA-HI?
Unfilled is the default condition — choose the natural unfilled injection or extrusion grade for general housings and outdoor parts: ABS-level mechanicals at 47 MPa tensile with inherent weather resistance. HI: choose the impact-modified grade with higher acrylate rubber content for outdoor structural parts needing 40% elongation or toughness at low temperature; modulus stays 1.9 GPa. Yield strength is 45 MPa in Unfilled versus 38 MPa in HI.
Can FabDigit make parts in ASA-HI?
Yes — ASA-HI is available for CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Luran S ASA — INEOS Styrolution (2022)
- Geloy ASA Resin Product Data — SABIC (2021)
- Centrex ASA/AES Weatherable Polymers — INEOS Styrolution (2020)
- CAMPUS Plastics ISO 10350 (ASA) — CAMPUS/CWFG (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
- ISO 19064-1 Plastics — ASA moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2015)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.