ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) vs PEI (Ultem): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) vs PEI (Ultem)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate)
UV-resistant alternative to ABS — acrylic rubber replaces butadiene for excellent weatherability. Retains color and gloss outdoors for years without coating. Similar mechanical properties to ABS but with 10× better UV resistance. Trade names: Luran S (BASF/INEOS), Geloy (SABIC). Used for automotive exterior trim, outdoor electrical housings, garden furniture, and building cladding.
PEI (Ultem)
Polyetherimide — high-performance amorphous thermoplastic. Similar properties to PEEK at lower cost but lower impact strength and use temp. Transparent amber color. Tg 217°C, inherent flame resistance (UL94 V-0 at 0.4mm), very low smoke. Hydrolytically stable (2000+ autoclave cycles). Trade name Ultem (SABIC). Used for aerospace interior panels, medical sterilizable devices, electrical insulators, semiconductor handling, and 3D-print build plates.
| ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) | PEI (Ultem) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 6402 | ISO 10350 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) | PEI (Ultem) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 40–55 | 85–105 | MPa |
| elongation | 15–35 | 50–60 | % |
| e_modulus | 2200–2600 | 3–3.3 | MPa |
Compatibility Assessment
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) and PEI (Ultem) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) the same as PEI (Ultem)?
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) and PEI (Ultem) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) with PEI (Ultem)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) and PEI (Ultem)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) is a Polymers grade, while PEI (Ultem) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.