SMARTFIL® ASA: A RESILIENT AND DURABLE 3D PRINTING MATERIAL

3D printing has revolutionized numerous industries by providing an innovative way to manufacture prototypes, custom parts, and final products with unprecedented precision and flexibility. In this dynamic scenario, the choice of printing material plays a crucial role in the quality and durability of the final product. Today, we delve into the world of Smartfil ASA, a 3D printing material renowned for its strength and versatility.

What is Smartfil ASA?

Smartfil ASA is a 3D printing filament designed to offer an exceptional combination of mechanical strength, weather resistance, and dimensional stability. ASA, which stands for acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, is a thermoplastic polymer known for its durability and weather resistance, making it an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Highlighted Features of Smartfil ASA:

• Weather Resistance: One of the standout features of Smartfil ASA is its excellent weather resistance. This material is highly resistant to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, making it ideal for outdoor applications requiring long-term stability against solar exposure.
• Mechanical Strength: Smartfil ASA offers excellent mechanical strength, making it an ideal choice for parts requiring durability and impact resistance. From machinery components to automotive parts, ASA provides the necessary robustness to withstand demanding conditions.
• Dimensional Stability: Dimensional stability is crucial in 3D printing to ensure the accuracy and consistency of printed parts. Smartfil ASA exhibits excellent dimensional stability, meaning printed parts maintain their dimensions even in varying temperature and humidity conditions.
• Ease of Post-Processing: A notable feature of Smartfil ASA is its ability to be post-processed with acetone. This acetone post-processing allows for smoothing the surface of printed parts, creating more uniform and professional finishes. Additionally, acetone post-processing can help fuse individual layers, enhancing the strength and structural integrity of parts.
• High-Temperature Resistance: ASA can withstand relatively high temperatures without losing its mechanical properties. This makes it suitable for applications where printed parts may be exposed to elevated temperatures, such as engine components or high-temperature environments.

Considerations Before Using Smartfil ASA:

Although ASA is a popular and versatile material for 3D printing, it also presents certain challenges during the printing process. Here are some common difficulties associated with printing ASA:

• Warping (Thermal Deformation): ASA tends to shrink when cooled, leading to deformations or warping in printed parts, especially in large, flat printing areas. Uneven shrinkage can result in raised or distorted corners, affecting the quality and precision of the final piece. This can be mitigated by using a printer with a closed environment, setting the printing bed temperature above 90°C, using adhesive for the bed, and ultimately using a skirt or brim on the parts.
• Cracking and Shrinking: ASA is prone to cracking during the printing process, especially if the printing bed temperature is too low or if there are temperature fluctuations in the printing environment. These cracks can weaken the structural integrity of the printed part. Additionally, ASA may shrink slightly during cooling, leading to sizing issues in printed parts. Addressing these issues involves using a printer with a closed environment, a bed temperature above 90°C, and avoiding opening the printer during the printing process.
• Adhesion to the Printing Surface: Ensuring good adhesion of ASA to the printing surface, usually a heated bed, can be challenging. Incorrect leveling of the printing bed or improper temperature settings can lead to poor adhesion, resulting in warping or detachment of the part from the surface during printing. This can be addressed by using a printer with a closed environment, setting the bed temperature above 90°C, using adhesive for the bed, and ultimately using a skirt or brim on the parts.
• Odor and Emissions: During the printing process, ASA may emit unpleasant odors and vapors due to plastic melting. These vapors are not healthy to inhale, so printing in a well-ventilated area or using a printer with an adequate air filtration system is recommended.
• Requires a Printer with a Heated Bed: ASA requires a heated bed to print properly, which may be a limitation for some 3D printers that lack this feature. Additionally, maintaining a constant temperature on the printing bed is crucial to prevent warping and ensure good material adhesion.

Despite these challenges, with the proper printer setup and printing process, as well as mitigation techniques such as the use of bed adhesives, proper heating, and management of the printing environment temperature, excellent results can be achieved with ASA in 3D printing.

Applications of Smartfil ASA:

The exceptional properties of Smartfil ASA make it suitable for a variety of applications, including:

• Automotive: Ideal for automotive exterior components such as bumpers and mirror housings due to its weather resistance and dimensional stability.
• Outdoor Signage: Ensures long-term durability and readability in outdoor signage and sign applications, maintaining vibrant colors even in adverse weather conditions.
• Machinery and Tools: Provides robustness for machinery and tool components, ensuring reliable performance in industrial and manufacturing environments.
• Durable Consumer Products: Ensures a long lifespan and reliable performance in products like toys and gardening tools, even under repeated use and demanding conditions.
• Prototypes and Functional Parts: Facilitates innovation across industries by providing precise and durable models for rigorous testing in real-world environments.

Presentations:

Filament:

• Size: 750 g
• Diameter: 1.75 mm / 2.85 mm
• Colors: True Black, Natural, Ruby, Orinoco, Chlorophyll, and Cobalt

Pellets:

• 1 kg Bag
• 5 kg Bag
• 15 kg Bag

Recommendations for Printing Smartfil ASA Filament:

Printing Properties:

• Printing Temperature: 250 – 260°C
• Bed Temperature: 90 – 110°C
• Layer Fan: 0 – 20%
• Material Flow: 100%
• Layer Height: ≥ 0.1 mm
• Nozzle Recommendations: ≥ 0.2 mm
• Printing Speed: 30 – 50 mm/s

Physical Properties:

• Density: 1.17 g/cm³ (ASTM D792)

Mechanical Properties:

• Tensile Strength: 35 – 15.5 MPa (ISO 527)
• Tensile Modulus: 1378 – 2199.1 MPa (ISO 527)
• Flexural Strength: 75.7 – 39.4 MPa (ISO 178)
• Flexural Modulus: 2044.4 – 1953.8 MPa (ISO 178)
• Elongation at Break: 6 – 0.8% (ISO 527)
• Flexural Elongation at Break: 15.3 – 2.2% (ISO 178)
• Charpy Impact Strength (unnotched): 50.3 – 5 kJ/m² (ISO 179)
• Hardness: 81.5 Shore D (ISO 7619-1)

Thermal Properties:

• Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): 107°C (ISO 11357)
• VICAT B Temperature: 95°C (ISO 306)
• HDT B (0.45 MPa): 96°C (ISO 75)

Recommendations for Printing Smartfil ASA Pellets:

Processing Recommendations:

• Pre-drying: 3 – 4 hours at 90°C
• Feed Zone Temperature: 20 – 40°C
• Melting Zone Temperature: 180 – 200°C
• Mixing Zone Temperature: 210 – 220°C
• Nozzle Temperature: 200 – 230°C

Physical Properties:

• Density: 1.07 g/cm³ (ISO 1183)
• Melt Flow Rate (220°C/10 kg): 12 g/10 min (ASTM D1238)

Mechanical Properties:

• Tensile Strength (to break, 23°C): 47.1 MPa (ASTM D638)
• Tensile Modulus: 2080 MPa (ASTM D638)
• Elongation at Break: 25% (ASTM D638)
• Flexural Strength: 75.5 MPa (ASTM D790)
• Flexural Modulus: 75.5 MPa (ASTM D790)
• Charpy Impact Strength (notched, 23°C): 180 J/m (ASTM D256)

Thermal Properties:

• Thermal Deflection Temperature (0.45 MPa): 96°C (ASTM D648)
• Vicat A Temperature: 95°C (ASTM D1525)

Acquire our Smartfil ASA on our website: www.smartmaterials3d.com

Or if you wish to place a larger order, don't hesitate to inquire about our special discounts for both filament and pellets for robotic arms with your sales representative or email us at info@smartmaterials3d.com

Be Smart!