Material guide
Gluing ASA
An ABS relative built for outdoor use, with far better UV and weather resistance.
Also called ASA plastic, weatherproof ABS.
How ASA behaves when you bond it
Bonds much like ABS and responds to the same solvent approaches. Since ASA is chosen specifically for outdoor parts, the adhesive usually needs to match that weather resistance or it becomes the weak point.
ASA is a rigid styrenic thermoplastic related to ABS, formulated for improved weather and UV resistance. It usually bonds with similar adhesive technologies, but modifiers, outdoor exposure and surface chalking mean ABS results cannot be adopted without testing.
Material properties
- Surface energy
- Medium
- Porosity
- Non-porous
- Rigidity
- Rigid
- Maximum service temperature
- 90C
- Normally needs abrading
- Yes
- Normally needs a primer
- No
- Solvent sensitive
- Yes. Solvent-based adhesives can craze or dissolve the surface.
Surface preparation
Use clean, dry material. Remove weathered or chalked surface and wipe with isopropanol after a compatibility test; lightly abrade a hidden area for structural adhesive if needed. Avoid aggressive solvents unless performing a controlled ASA solvent-weld process, and test the actual filament or moulding grade.
Which adhesives work on ASA
Good
Structural acrylic
Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment.
Abrade the surface first.
Good
Two-part epoxy
Two-part epoxy is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment.
Abrade the surface first.
Conditional
Cyanoacrylate
Cyanoacrylate is rated conditional for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Use only after a product-specific test on the actual grade and joint.
Abrade the surface first.
Bonding ASA to something else
Last reviewed 8 October 2026.