ACRYLONITRILE STYRENE ACRYLATE (ASA)

Ranked among the best plastic materials in engineering, ASA (short for Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is a thermoplastic material with an amorphous structure and a condensed formula.

The characteristics of this plastic material depend on the nature of its individual components: acrylonitrile, which gives it hardness, good mechanical properties and chemical inertness; unsaturated acrylic rubber, which has no double bonds and is therefore not subject to deterioration processes when exposed to weathering, increases its resistance to impact and ultraviolet rays; styrene, which presence improves gloss, workability and surface hardness.

The elastic component derives from an unsaturated acrylic rubber, which is why it is chosen for outdoor applications that require not only weather resistance, but also good mechanical strength. As a matter of fact, it is able to retain its color and strength even after years of exposure and, for this reason, many manufacturing sectors, have increased its use and consumption.

In the automotive sector it is used for rearview mirrors, radiator grilles and spoilers, in the electrical and electronic fields for electrical panels, connectors, switches, housings for kitchen appliances and vacuum cleaners, and finally in construction, for sanitary accessories, garden furniture, street lamps, signs outdoor ventilation grilles, street lamps and many other items. Product and application development tends to focus on UV resistance, which is a key property of this material.

ASA offers excellent aesthetics, a color variety that often allows to skip painting, a good chemical resistance, and excellent heat-resistance and treatment capabilities. It can be incorporated into alloys, combinations and blends to benefit from the properties of component resins. High-quality, glossy and scratch-resistant parts can be made with this plastic material, as well as transparent parts, and by adding opacifiers, matte surfaces can also be obtained.

It can be easily molded by injection, extrusion or molding. It is slightly hygroscopic, therefore, drying is necessary before processing.