ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate): weather-resistant and UV-stable

ASA is a UV-resistant alternative to ABS with improved weather and aging resistance. Ideal for outdoor applications such as vehicle parts, façade panels and technical components.

Example of an injection molded plastic part, QDP product photography

Key properties

Weather and UV resistance: retains color and mechanical properties during prolonged exposure to sunlight.
High impact strength and stiffness, even at low temperatures.
Chemical resistance against diluted acids, alkalis, gasoline, fats and oils.
Natural high gloss and good scratch resistance, minimal post-processing needed.
Good processability, also suitable for painting and welding.

Mechanical properties (indicative values)

Property	Value
Density	1.06-1.08 g/cm³
Tensile strength	40-50 MPa
E-modulus (tensile)	2300-2600 MPa
Elongation at break	15-25%
HDT @1.8 MPa	85-95 °C
Shrinkage	0,4-0,7%
Processing temperature	230-260 °C

Indicative values for standard, unfilled grades. For final material selection, always consult the supplier’s data sheet (TDS) for the specific grade.

Applications

Automotive: mirror housings and trim strips
Construction sector: façade cladding and roof edges
Consumer goods: garden furniture and suitcases
Electronics: housings for outdoor use

Why choose ASA?

ASA is the first choice whenever a product is structurally outdoors: it retains color and strength where standard ABS would age.

See the full materials overview or the DfM-pillar.

Frequently asked questions about ASA

What is ASA?

ASA stands for acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate and is the outdoor alternative to ABS. It is just as stiff and impact-resistant, but the rubber part in the composition is replaced by a variant that is not affected by sunlight. As a result, ASA retains its color and toughness even after years outdoors, whereas ABS yellows and becomes brittle. Shrinkage, at 0.4 to 0.7 percent, is the same as that of ABS. QDP chooses ASA whenever a product is permanently outdoors.

What is the difference between ASA and ABS?

Chemically, there is little difference and mechanically even less: both are stiff, impact-resistant and easily processed, with the same shrinkage. The difference is in weather resistance. ABS yellows and becomes brittle in the sun, ASA retains its color and properties. This comes at a slightly higher material price. Indoors, ABS is perfectly fine and unnecessary to replace; outdoors, ASA is the safe choice. QDP bases this choice on where the product will be used.

How long does ASA retain color outdoors?

Considerably longer than ABS, but no material retains color forever. Exactly how long depends on the color, pigment, and amount of sun: dark and bright colors fade faster than light ones, and southern latitudes are harsher than the Dutch. If strict color fastness is required, have an accelerated aging test done on the chosen grade and color. QDP requests this information from the material supplier if color fastness is a specification.

Can you paint, glue or weld ASA?

Yes, all three. ASA, like ABS, has a closed surface that paint and glue adhere to well, and it can be ultrasonically welded. In practice, painting ASA is often unnecessary, because the material is available in color and also retains that color outdoors. That saves a post-processing step and a layer that could peel. QDP checks during design if the color can come from the mold rather than the paint line.

What is ASA used for?

For everything that needs to keep looking good outdoors: parts on vehicles such as mirror covers and grilles, façade panels and gutters, housings for garden and outdoor lighting, and technical parts of installations exposed to open air. It is also a logical choice for street furniture and traffic products. Rule of thumb: if a product is in the sun non-stop for longer than a season, ASA is a safer choice than ABS. QDP processes ASA, among others, in products for public spaces.

What does this mean for your design?

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