ASA vs PCTG
How ASA and PCTG compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- ASA is more heat resistant and better outdoors; PCTG is easier to print and tougher.
- ASA typically prints about 5 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- ASA typically prints about 20 °C hotter on the bed.
- ASA is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 51 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 109 ASA filaments in 638 colours, and 26 PCTG filaments in 151 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| ASA | PCTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Easier to print | |
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | ||
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | Better outdoors | |
| Flexibility | ||
| Setup | Needs an enclosure, Needs ventilation | No enclosure or special setup needed |
| ASA | PCTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate | Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol |
| Filaments listed | 109 | 26 |
| Brands | 66 | 13 |
| Colours | 638 | 151 |
| Nozzle temperature | 235–260 °C | 230–260 °C |
| Bed temperature | 90–110 °C | 70–90 °C |
| Density | 1.07 g/cm³ | 1.23 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 389 m | about 338 m |
| Max drying temperature | 85 °C | – |
Temperatures are medians across each material's filaments, rounded to 5 °C. Always check the maker's settings for a specific filament.
Brands that make both
10 brands make both ASA and PCTG.