Filament Types
What and why it matters for your board
Filament Types Pro's and Con's ASA or PLA+
We offer all of our custom fish measuring boards with convenient construction filaments used in the printing and construction of the board segments.
ASA or Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, is a thermoplastic known for its UV resistance, weather resistance and impact strength.
PLA or Polylactic Acid, is a biodegradable, sustainable, thermoplastic filament commonly used in 3D Printing, known for its ease of use, good quality prints, and relatively high strength and stiffness, though it has lower heat and chemical resistance.
asa filament
ASA or Acrylonitrile Styrene Acylate filament is a thermoplastic known for its UV resistance, weather resistance, and high impact strength. Making it well suited for outdoor and functional applications.
Key Properties:
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UV Resistance: ASA filament is highly resistant to UV degradation, preventing yellowing or fading when exposed to sunlight.
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Weather Resistance: It exhibits excellent resistance to various weather conditions, including moisture, temperature fluctuations, and extreme temperatures.
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High Impact Strength: ASA is known for its toughness and resistance to breakage, making it suitable for parts that experience stress or impact.
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Chemical Resistance: ASA is resistant to many chemicals, including greases and oils.
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Heat Resistance: ASA can withstand temperatures up to 100°C (212°F), making it suitable for applications requiring high-temperature performance.
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Dimensional Stability: ASA has good dimensional stability, meaning it's less prone to warping during printing and use.
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Antistatic: ASA has good antistatic properties.
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Color: ASA can be made in a wide range of colors.
CONS:
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Cost:
ASA filament is generally more expensive than other common filaments like PLA or ABS.
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Printing Difficulty:
ASA can be more difficult to print than other materials, requiring careful tuning of printer settings and potentially an enclosed print chamber to prevent warping.
PLA+ Filaments
PLA or Polylactic Acid, is a biodegradable, sustainable, thermoplastic filament commonly used in 3D Printing, known for its ease of use, good quality prints, and relatively high strength and stiffness, though it has lower heat and chemical resistance.
Advantages of PLA+:
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Enhanced Strength and Durability:
PLA+ generally exhibits higher tensile strength and flexural strength compared to standard PLA, meaning prints are more robust and less prone to breaking or chipping.
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Improved Layer Adhesion:
The enhanced interlayer bonding of PLA+ results in prints with better dimensional accuracy and reduced warping, especially in complex geometries.
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Easier Printing:
PLA+ often prints with a lower risk of warping or clogging, making it a good choice for beginners and those with less complex 3D printers.
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Better Heat Resistance:
While still not ideal for high-temperature applications, PLA+ generally has a higher heat deflection temperature than standard PLA, allowing it to withstand slightly higher temperatures.
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Good Aesthetics:
PLA+ prints often have a smooth, glossy finish, making them suitable for applications where appearance is important.
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Renewable and Biodegradable:
Like standard PLA, PLA+ is derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane, making it a more environmentally friendly option than petroleum-based plastics.
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Cost Efficient:
PLA+ prints often have a lower cost per KG providing a more reasonable choice.
Disadvantages of PLA+:
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Not Ideal for High-Stress Applications:
Despite its improved strength, PLA+ is still not suitable for parts that will be subjected to high stresses or impact loads.
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Temperature Limitations:
PLA+ still has a relatively low temperature resistance, making it unsuitable for applications where the printed part will be exposed to high temperatures pliable around 90 degrees F.
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Brittle Nature:
PLA+ can be brittle, meaning it is prone to cracking or chipping under impact.
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Chemical Resistance:
PLA+ has poor chemical resistance, making it unsuitable for applications where the printed part will be exposed to chemicals.
