Which filament for outdoor use: sun and weather

Outdoor use is a UV and weather test, and most filaments fail it. ASA resists sun and weather. PETG works in shade. ABS weathers poorly. PLA softens and breaks down. The right pick depends on how much sun the part sees.

How the materials compare outdoors

The table compares four filaments for outdoor use. ASA leads UV and weather. PLA fails outdoors.

When to pick ASA

Pick ASA for parts that see sun or weather. The Prusament ASA datasheet lists a nozzle of 260 °C with a 10 °C margin and a heat deflection of 93 °C. ASA holds color and strength outdoors where other filaments yellow and crack.

When to pick PETG

Pick PETG for sheltered outdoor use, like a covered porch. It handles brief moisture and moderate warmth, and it prints without an enclosure. For direct sun, move to ASA.

For the materials, read the ASA guide or PETG guide. For a related pick, see ABS versus ASA or PETG versus ASA.