PETG vs ASA — indoor workhorse vs outdoor champion.
PETG is our most-ordered FDM material — a tough, chemically resistant thermoplastic that handles most functional prototyping applications. ASA is our outdoor specialist — similar strength to ABS, with dramatically better UV stability. The two materials overlap significantly on mechanical spec, but they diverge sharply on one dimension: how well they survive direct sun.
Detailed comparison
Property-by-property breakdown
| Property | PETG | ASA |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 50 MPa | 44 MPa |
| Impact resistance | Good | Good |
| Heat deflection | 70°C | 95°C |
| UV stability | Moderate (degrades in ~1 year) | Excellent (rated for outdoor use) |
| Chemical resistance | Excellent (most solvents) | Moderate |
| Printability | Very easy | Moderate (warps) |
| Cost | $ | $$ |
| Best for | Indoor functional, chemical resistance | Outdoor brackets, UV exposure |
Our recommendation
Choose PETG for indoor functional prototypes, chemical-resistant parts, housings, and brackets. It is the cheaper and easier-to-print option for most projects. Choose ASA whenever the part will see direct UV exposure — outdoor enclosures, rooftop brackets, garden tools, automotive exterior trim. ASA costs a bit more and warps during printing, but PETG will become brittle and discolor under sustained UV within a year.
More comparisons
MJF
Injection molding vs 3D printing — which one is right for your volume?
MJF
CNC machining vs 3D printing — subtractive vs additive.
SLA vs FDM
Resin vs filament 3D printing — SLA vs FDM for real-world parts.
MJF
SLS vs MJF — two powder-bed nylon processes, different trade-offs.
FDM
FDM vs CNC — when to print plastic, when to mill it.
MJF
MJF vs urethane casting — two paths to low-volume production.
FDM
3D printing for prototyping vs production — how the choices change.
FDM
PLA vs ABS — the two classic FDM filaments compared.
MJF
Nylon PA12 vs aluminum — when printed nylon replaces machined metal.
FDM vs SLA
FDM vs SLA — which 3D printing technology is right for your part?
FDM vs MJF
FDM vs MJF — cost-effective prototyping vs production-grade nylon.
SLA vs MJF
SLA vs MJF — precision and finish vs production-grade strength.
FDM vs Industrial SLA
FDM vs Industrial SLA — two paths to large-format 3D printing.
MJF
MJF vs injection molding — when does 3D printing make more sense?
FDM vs SLA vs MJF
FDM vs SLA vs MJF — the complete 3D printing technology comparison.
FDM
PLA vs PETG — choosing the right FDM material.
MJF
Nylon PA12 vs PA11 — choosing the right MJF production material.
Related Resources
Keep exploring
Related Comparisons
PLA vs ABS — the two classic FDM filaments compared.
Choose PLA for display models, concept prototypes, fit-checks, and any part that will live indoors at room temperature. Choose ABS when the part needs to survive mild impact, moderate heat (above 55°C), or when you need to match an existing injection-molded reference. For most modern FDM work, PETG is a better default than either — tougher than PLA, cleaner than ABS.
FDM vs SLA — which 3D printing technology is right for your part?
Choose FDM when cost and speed matter most, or when you need tough engineering thermoplastics (PETG, ASA, PC CF) at larger build volumes. Choose SLA when surface finish, dimensional accuracy, or fine detail resolution is the priority — visual prototypes, snap-fit validation, and presentation models.
Related Materials
Related Technologies
Ready to start production?
Upload your CAD file and get a quote in minutes — or talk to our engineers about your next production run.