ASA and PC/ASA compounds
Weather-resistant ASA and PC/ASA for outdoor cosmetic parts.
Example grade / typical values — to be corrected by GREENPOLYMER
Selection criteria
- Weathering
- Color stability
- Heat resistance
- Toughness
- GRN-ASA-W110Outdoor housings
- GRN-PCAS-W310Weather-resistant PC/ASA
- GRN-PCAS-W510Flame-retardant weather-resistant PC/ASA
ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) has a structure similar to ABS, but uses acrylate rubber instead of butadiene rubber. Acrylate rubber has no double bonds and resists UV light better. So ASA is less likely to yellow and become brittle in outdoor sunlight.
PC/ASA is a blend of PC and ASA. It adds heat resistance and toughness to the weather resistance of ASA.
ASA and PC/ASA are commonly used for outdoor housings, vehicle exterior parts, outdoor security equipment housings, EV charger housings and tool housings.
GREENPOLYMER ASA and PC/ASA grades
Full list · 3 grades
| Grade | Key features | Suitable parts |
|---|---|---|
| GRN-ASA-W110 | Weather-resistant ASA | Outdoor housings, two-wheeler exterior parts, tool housings |
| GRN-PCAS-W310 | Weather-resistant PC/ASA | Outdoor housings with higher heat and toughness requirements, vehicle body panels, low-altitude aircraft housings |
| GRN-PCAS-W510 | Flame-retardant weather-resistant PC/ASA (V-1, design target) | Outdoor parts that must be flame retardant, such as body panels of electric bicycles under the new national standard |
Recycled-content versions (-R) of each grade can be customized.
Key properties
Typical values. Refer to the actual TDS.
- DensityISO 1183
- ASA-W1101.06–1.08 g/cm³
- PCAS-W3101.14–1.17 g/cm³
- PCAS-W5101.18–1.25 g/cm³
- MFRISO 1133
- ASA-W1105–15 g/10 min (220 °C / 10 kg)
- PCAS-W31010–25 g/10 min (260 °C / 5 kg)
- PCAS-W51010–25 g/10 min (260 °C / 5 kg)
- Tensile strengthISO 527
- ASA-W11040–50 MPa
- PCAS-W31050–60 MPa
- PCAS-W51048–58 MPa
- Notched impact (23 °C)ISO 179/1eA
- ASA-W1108–15 kJ/m²
- PCAS-W31030–50 kJ/m²
- PCAS-W51015–35 kJ/m²
- HDT (1.80 MPa)ISO 75
- ASA-W11085–95 °C
- PCAS-W31095–110 °C
- PCAS-W51085–100 °C
- Weathering (design target)ISO 4892-2 xenon-arc
- ASA-W110ΔE ≤ 3 after 1000 h
- PCAS-W310ΔE ≤ 3 after 1000 h
- PCAS-W510ΔE ≤ 3 after 1000 h
- Flammability (design target)UL 94
- ASA-W110HB @ 1.5 mm
- PCAS-W310HB @ 1.5 mm
- PCAS-W510V-1 @ 1.5 mm
Full table
| Item | Test standard | GRN-ASA-W110 | GRN-PCAS-W310 | GRN-PCAS-W510 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density | ISO 1183 | 1.06–1.08 g/cm³ | 1.14–1.17 g/cm³ | 1.18–1.25 g/cm³ |
| MFR | ISO 1133 | 5–15 g/10 min (220 °C / 10 kg) | 10–25 g/10 min (260 °C / 5 kg) | 10–25 g/10 min (260 °C / 5 kg) |
| Tensile strength | ISO 527 | 40–50 MPa | 50–60 MPa | 48–58 MPa |
| Notched impact (23 °C) | ISO 179/1eA | 8–15 kJ/m² | 30–50 kJ/m² | 15–35 kJ/m² |
| HDT (1.80 MPa) | ISO 75 | 85–95 °C | 95–110 °C | 85–100 °C |
| Weathering (design target) | ISO 4892-2 xenon-arc | ΔE ≤ 3 after 1000 h | ΔE ≤ 3 after 1000 h | ΔE ≤ 3 after 1000 h |
| Flammability (design target) | UL 94 | HB @ 1.5 mm | HB @ 1.5 mm | V-1 @ 1.5 mm |
Weathering and flammability ratings are design targets (to be verified by GREENPOLYMER).
ASA, PC/ASA or weather-resistant PC/ABS
| Situation | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Outdoor cosmetic parts, cost-sensitive, moderate heat requirements | GRN-ASA-W110 |
| Outdoor parts that need higher heat and impact resistance | GRN-PCAS-W310 |
| Mainly indoors or semi-outdoors, needing the processing and toughness of PC/ABS | Weather-resistant PC/ABS GRN-PCA-W310 |
| Outdoor parts that must be flame retardant | GRN-PCAS-W510 (V-1, design target); flame retardancy and weathering must be validated together |
How to validate weathering
Accelerated aging
Xenon-arc aging (ISO 4892-2) and UV aging (ISO 4892-3) are common. The xenon-arc spectrum is closer to sunlight.
Criteria
Color difference ΔE, gloss retention, impact retention, surface chalking.
Note
Hours of accelerated aging cannot be converted directly into years outdoors. Set the test conditions to your product standard or customer specification.
Color matters
Dark and light colors weather differently. Validate new colors separately.
Processing advice
Typical values. Refer to the actual TDS.
- Drying
- GRN-ASA-W11080–85 °C, 2–4 h
- GRN-PCAS-W310100–110 °C, 3–4 h
- Melt temperature
- GRN-ASA-W110230–260 °C
- GRN-PCAS-W310250–280 °C
- Mold temperature
- GRN-ASA-W11050–80 °C
- GRN-PCAS-W31060–90 °C
- Moisture content
- GRN-ASA-W110 ≤ 0.1 %
GRN-PCAS-W310 ≤ 0.02 % - Residence time
- GRN-ASA-W110 As short as possible, to avoid yellowing
GRN-PCAS-W310 As short as possible
Full table
| Item | GRN-ASA-W110 | GRN-PCAS-W310 |
|---|---|---|
| Drying | 80–85 °C, 2–4 h | 100–110 °C, 3–4 h |
| Moisture content | ≤ 0.1 % | ≤ 0.02 % |
| Melt temperature | 230–260 °C | 250–280 °C |
| Mold temperature | 50–80 °C | 60–90 °C |
| Residence time | As short as possible, to avoid yellowing | As short as possible |
Design points
Keep walls even and avoid sharp corners
This reduces internal stress; outdoor temperature changes amplify stress problems.
Allow for thermal expansion and contraction
Outdoor parts see large temperature swings; leave gaps at assembly points.
Textured surfaces age better visually
Fine textures make scratches and gloss changes after aging less visible.
Watch the surface temperature of dark parts
In sunlight, dark parts can get much hotter than the ambient air; assess heat resistance at the surface temperature.
FAQ
Do ASA and ABS look the same?
Appearance and processing are similar, but ASA weathers better. ASA usually costs more than ABS.
Can ASA be used for 3D printing?
Injection molding pellets and printing filaments are two separate systems. For ASA filament, see the filament pages.
Related content
- Applications: E-bikes and two-wheelers | ICT and security | Low-altitude aircraft | Tools and hardware
Contact us
Tell us the part name, region of use (sunlight conditions), color, weathering test requirements, operating temperature and expected volume. Phone +86 18822892298 | Email hello@greenpolymer.com