ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) vs FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) vs FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)
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.
FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)
Flame retardant woven fiberglass cloth with epoxy resin binder — the worldwide standard substrate material for printed circuit boards (PCBs). Designated NEMA grade FR-4 and IPC-4101. Good mechanical strength, dimensional stability and electrical insulation up to 130°C (Tg). Dielectric constant 4.2–4.7 at 1 MHz. Self-extinguishing (UL94 V-0). Used for single/multilayer PCBs, electrical insulation boards, structural composites in electronics, test fixtures and jigs. Available in thicknesses 0.1–50 mm.
| ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) | FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 6402 | IPC-4101 |
Mechanical properties
| Property | ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) | FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 40–55 | — | MPa |
| elongation | 15–35 | — | % |
| e_modulus | 2200–2600 | — | MPa |
Compatibility Assessment
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) and FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) 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 FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)?
ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) and FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) with FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)?
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 FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. ASA (Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate) is a Polymers grade, while FR-4 (Glass Epoxy Laminate) is a Polymers grade.
View full data for each material:
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.