ABS (Standard)
Heat Resistant & Post-Processable
Industrial Standard
ABS is a legacy engineering plastic known for its toughness and heat resistance. Unlike PLA, it can withstand temperatures up to ~95°C without deforming. It is also unique because it can be "Vapor Smoothed" with acetone.
Best For: Enclosures, Car Interior Parts, Smoothed Prototypes.
Best For: Enclosures, Car Interior Parts, Smoothed Prototypes.
| Tensile Strength | 40–45 MPa ★★★★☆ (Tough) |
| Tensile Stiffness | ~2.2 GPa ★★★☆☆ (Rigid) |
| Impact Resistance | High ★★★★★ (Durable) |
| Shear Resistance | Moderate ★★★☆☆ (Standard) |
| Chemical Resistance | Low ★★☆☆☆ (Soluble) |
| Heat Resistance | ~95 °C ★★★★☆ (High) |
ABS GF
Glass-Fiber Reinforced ABS
High Stiffness
By reinforcing ABS with glass fibers, we significantly increase its stiffness and dimensional stability. This reduces warping and boosts heat deflection.
Best For: Structural Housings, Brackets, High-Temp Fixtures.
Best For: Structural Housings, Brackets, High-Temp Fixtures.
| Tensile Strength | ~55 MPa ★★★★☆ (Strong) |
| Tensile Stiffness | ~4.0 GPa ★★★★★ (Very Rigid) |
| Impact Resistance | Moderate ★★★☆☆ (Good) |
| Shear Resistance | Moderate ★★★☆☆ (Standard) |
| Chemical Resistance | Low ★★☆☆☆ (Soluble) |
| Heat Resistance | ~100 °C ★★★★★ (Very High) |
ASA (Outdoor)
UV & Weather Resistant
UV Proof
ASA is chemically very similar to ABS but with one major upgrade: it is UV stable. It will not yellow, crack, or become brittle in direct sunlight.
Best For: Car Exteriors, Sensor Housings, Outdoor Brackets.
Best For: Car Exteriors, Sensor Housings, Outdoor Brackets.
| Tensile Strength | 45–50 MPa ★★★★☆ (Strong) |
| Tensile Stiffness | ~2.3 GPa ★★★☆☆ (Rigid) |
| Impact Resistance | High ★★★★☆ (Durable) |
| Shear Resistance | Moderate ★★★☆☆ (Standard) |
| UV Resistance | Excellent ★★★★★ (No Fade) |
| Heat Resistance | ~95 °C ★★★★☆ (High) |
ASA CF
Carbon-Reinforced Outdoor
Outdoor + Stiff
Combines the UV resistance of ASA with the stiffness of Carbon Fiber. Premium material for outdoor structural parts that must hold heavy loads without bending.
Best For: Heavy Duty Drones, External Mounts, Automotive.
Best For: Heavy Duty Drones, External Mounts, Automotive.
| Tensile Strength | ~60 MPa ★★★★★ (Very Strong) |
| Tensile Stiffness | ~4.0 GPa ★★★★★ (Max Rigid) |
| Impact Resistance | Moderate ★★★☆☆ (Tough) |
| Shear Resistance | High ★★★★☆ (Strong) |
| UV Resistance | Excellent ★★★★★ (No Fade) |
| Heat Resistance | ~100 °C ★★★★★ (Very High) |
HIPS
High Impact Polystyrene
Lightweight
HIPS is a lightweight, impact-resistant material. It has a matte finish, paints very well, and is lighter than ABS. Often used as a dissolvable support but excellent as a standalone material.
Best For: Cosplay, Props, Model Making, Breakaway Parts.
Best For: Cosplay, Props, Model Making, Breakaway Parts.
| Tensile Strength | ~30 MPa ★★★☆☆ (Light) |
| Tensile Stiffness | ~2.0 GPa ★★★☆☆ (Standard) |
| Impact Resistance | High ★★★★☆ (Durable) |
| Weight | Low ★★★★★ (Light) |
| Finish | Matte ★★★★★ (Paintable) |
| Heat Resistance | ~90 °C ★★★★☆ (High) |
Custom Prototyping
Your Design, Our Engineering
Print on Demand
Don't see what you need? We can make it.
We offer bespoke engineering and manufacturing services. Send us your file or idea, and we will handle the rest.
Services: CAD Design, Reverse Engineering, Batch Production.
We offer bespoke engineering and manufacturing services. Send us your file or idea, and we will handle the rest.
Services: CAD Design, Reverse Engineering, Batch Production.
| Max Build Vol | 256 x 256 x 256 mm (Large Scale) |
| Accuracy | ± 0.1 mm (Precision) |
| Lead Time | 4–10 Days (Turnaround) |
| File Types | STL, OBJ, STEP (CAD Ready) |
| Min Order | 1 Unit (No Minimum) |
| Design Service | Available (Hourly Rate) |
Frequently Asked Questions about Styrenics
What is the difference between ABS and ASA?
They are mechanically very similar, but **ASA is UV resistant**. Use ABS for indoor parts (like car dashboards) and ASA for anything that will go outside in the sun.
Can ABS/ASA be smoothed?
Yes. ABS reacts to Acetone vapor, allowing you to smooth out the layer lines completely for a glossy, injection-molded look.
Is ABS Food Safe?
Generally, no. We recommend using our **PETG** or sealing the part with a food-safe epoxy for food-related applications.