ASA-CF Carbon-fiber-reinforced ASA (QIDI ASA-CF20 Core)

ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate) is a close relative of ABS, developed for outdoor use: it swaps ABS's rubber phase for an acrylic one that stands up far better to sunlight. ASA-CF adds chopped carbon fiber to make it stiffer and more dimensionally stable. The result is one of the best all-round materials for parts that live outside or in warm places, and our usual composite for outdoor brackets, housings and car-adjacent parts.

The grade we print is QIDI's ASA-CF20 Core. QIDI describes it as a skin-core co-extrusion: a carbon-fiber-filled core wrapped in a skin of pure ASA. QIDI says the resin skin protects the nozzle from abrasion and helps the material bond, while the core carries the fiber. The page doesn't describe any foamed, hollow or lightweight structure, and it doesn't state a fiber percentage, so we don't assume one.

One number stands out: QIDI lists a density of 1.06 g/cm³, which is lower than its other carbon-fiber grades and close to what you'd expect from unfilled ABS-family plastics. QIDI's page doesn't explain this, and we haven't been able to confirm it independently, so we report it exactly as published. If part weight is critical to your design, ask us to weigh a sample rather than relying on the datasheet figure.

Compared with plain ASA on QIDI's own comparison table, ASA-CF20 Core has a higher HDT at 0.45 MPa (101.1 °C against 93.0 °C) and a higher between-layer tensile strength (31.03 MPa against 27.87 MPa). It is much stiffer, with a tensile modulus of about 4500 MPa, but it stretches very little before breaking. It needs a closed, heated chamber to print well, which both our QIDI printers have.

ASA-CF's defining mechanical trait is stiffness. QIDI lists an XY tensile modulus of about 4500 MPa and an XY tensile strength of 50.06 MPa, plus a bending strength of 84.3 MPa on its comparison table. In practice, brackets and arms deflect noticeably less than in plain ASA or ABS, which matters for camera mounts, sensor arms and anything that must hold alignment.

That stiffness comes with low ductility. An elongation at break of 1.64 % means the material barely stretches before it fails, and QIDI's Charpy impact figure is low compared with plain engineering plastics. Expect a sharp crack, not a bend, if an ASA-CF part is overloaded or hit on a sharp corner. Generous fillets and thicker sections help a lot.

Like all FDM parts, ASA-CF is anisotropic: strong along the printed layers and weaker between them. Its Z tensile strength of 31.03 MPa on QIDI's table is decent for a fiber-filled material, and actually higher than plain QIDI ASA's on the same table, but it is still well below its XY value. We orient your part so the main loads run along the layers, and we'll tell you if the geometry forces a compromise.

Because the fibers reduce shrinkage, ASA-CF parts tend to come off the printer flatter and with less internal stress than plain ASA. That stability also reduces the chance of a part cracking at a corner days later, which can happen with high-shrink plastics printed in large flat shapes.

QIDI publishes two heat deflection temperatures (HDT, the point where a standard bar bends a set amount under load) for ASA-CF20 Core: 95.8 °C at 1.80 MPa and 101.1 °C at 0.45 MPa, both as printed. Having the higher-load figure is useful: it shows the material keeps most of its heat resistance even under a stiffer test, which is a good sign for loaded brackets.

These are short-term test values, not continuous working temperatures. Under constant load, any thermoplastic slowly creeps at temperatures below its HDT, so we suggest keeping a comfortable margin for parts that carry weight continuously. For a buyer, ASA-CF sits clearly above PETG-CF and plain ASA in heat tolerance, and below PET-CF and PPS-CF.

QIDI marks annealing as not generally recommended for ASA-CF, and we don't offer it for this material. Its heat performance is designed to come from the as-printed part.

ASA was developed as an outdoor-grade alternative to ABS. Its acrylic-based rubber phase doesn't break down in sunlight the way ABS's butadiene rubber does, so ASA parts generally keep their color and toughness far longer outdoors. The carbon fiber and dark color add further protection to the surface.

Even UV-stable plastics change slowly over years of sun. Expect the matte surface to lighten or dull slightly over time, especially on the sun-facing side, rather than chalking or crumbling. For parts where appearance matters, a UV-rated clear coat can extend the original look.

In freezing weather, very stiff, low-elongation materials like ASA-CF can be more prone to cracking from impacts. If your part will be bumped or loaded in winter conditions, tell us so we can thicken key sections.

ASA's chemistry is similar to ABS's. It generally resists water, many dilute acids and bases, detergents and some oils, which suits outdoor and automotive use. QIDI doesn't publish a chemical-resistance chart for ASA-CF, so treat these as general guidance.

Acetone and similar strong solvents attack ASA, softening or dissolving the surface. Gasoline, brake fluid and some aggressive cleaners and sunscreens can also craze or soften styrenic plastics with prolonged contact. Brief splashes, wiped off, are usually tolerated. If your part will see a specific fluid, tell us, and test a sample in that fluid before committing to a batch.

ASA-CF parts absorb little water: QIDI lists 0.39 % saturated water absorption, so finished parts keep their stiffness and size in rain and humidity. That's a big practical advantage over carbon-fiber nylon for outdoor parts.

The filament itself still needs to be dry to print well; QIDI marks drying as required. We dry it before printing and keep it in a sealed, dry environment during jobs. Note that QIDI's product page and comparison guide give different drying temperatures; we follow whichever suits the spool type and our dryer, and keep within the spool's limits.

ASA-CF prints with a uniform matte, dark finish that hides layer lines well and looks like a molded composite part. It is one of the better-looking materials straight off the printer for outdoor and automotive accessories.

QIDI notes that printing too fast can cause a rough, turbulent surface, so we tune speed and temperature to keep visible faces smooth. Surfaces printed against the build plate are flatter than top faces; tell us which side is cosmetic and we'll orient for it where strength allows.

Color choice is limited, because carbon fiber makes the material black or very dark. If you need a light color for an outdoor part, plain ASA is available in more colors, but you lose some stiffness and heat margin.

Light sanding is possible for removing support marks, but sanding through the surface can expose fibers and leave a lighter, fuzzy patch. We keep post-processing to cleaning up support contact areas unless you ask for more. Wear a dust mask if you sand fiber-filled parts yourself.

Vapor smoothing is not something we offer for ASA-CF; the fibers prevent the glossy result it gives on unfilled plastics. Painting works well with a primer suited to styrenic plastics, though most customers keep the natural matte finish.

Heat-set inserts install cleanly and are our standard recommendation for threaded connections. Holes can be drilled or reamed to final size; the fibers wear tools faster than plain plastic. We don't anneal ASA-CF, in line with QIDI's guidance.

Carbon fiber reduces shrinkage, so ASA-CF prints flatter and holds dimensions better than plain ASA or ABS. Long, flat parts such as brackets and plates are much less likely to curl at the corners, especially with the heated chamber both our printers provide.

As with all FDM printing, holes come out slightly undersized and outer dimensions slightly oversized. For fits that matter, mark critical dimensions on your drawing; we can compensate in the model or ream after printing. For mating parts or batches, we recommend approving one test piece first.

Detail is limited by the minimum fiber-safe nozzle of 0.4 mm. Small embossed text, sharp internal corners and thin ribs will be softer than in PLA or plain ASA.