Best Filament for Outdoor 3D Prints: ASA vs PETG UV Resistant vs TPU D60

For rigid outdoor parts that get hot – car exteriors, dark-coloured housings, anything in full summer sun – choose ASA (heat deflection 85 °C). For garden, balcony and general outdoor parts that you want to print easily on an open printer, choose PETG UV Resistant. For flexible outdoor parts such as seals, bumpers and marine fittings, choose TPU Flex D60 UV Resistant. All three Eolas Prints materials are certified UV resistant; standard PLA, PETG and ABS are not.

Last updated 7 October 2026. Properties and settings are taken from our product data sheets.

Key facts

• UV: ASA, PETG UV Resistant and TPU D60 are certified UV resistant – colour and structure stay stable after extended outdoor exposure.
• Heat: ASA has a heat deflection temperature of 85 °C; PETG UV Resistant 62 °C.
• Printing: PETG UV Resistant prints on any open printer; ASA needs an enclosure; TPU D60 needs slow speeds and a direct-drive or short Bowden extruder.
• Water: PETG UV Resistant and TPU D60 are hydrolysis resistant; TPU D60 also resists microbes and stays flexible in the cold.
• Avoid outdoors: PLA softens around 55–60 °C, and standard PETG and ABS fade and become brittle in the sun.

ASA vs PETG UV vs TPU D60 at a glance

ASA – best for heat and full sun

Eolas Prints ASA is engineered for outdoor and high-UV environments. It has the strength and heat resistance of ABS – heat deflection 85 °C, Vicat 105 °C – with certified UV stability, so it does not yellow or turn brittle in the sun. That makes it the right choice for automotive exterior parts, electrical housings, outdoor enclosures and any dark-coloured part that will sit in direct summer sun. Print it in an enclosed printer to control warping; see how to print with ASA and our warping guide.

PETG UV Resistant – the easiest outdoor filament

PETG UV Resistant keeps everything people like about PETG – easy printing on open printers, toughness, virtually zero shrinkage and excellent chemical resistance – and adds certified UV stability and hydrolysis resistance. Use it for garden and outdoor fixtures, planters, irrigation parts, marine brackets, solar panel mounts and outdoor signage. Its heat deflection temperature is 62 °C, so in hot climates choose light colours or switch to ASA for parts in full sun. Full settings are in how to print with PETG UV Resistant.

TPU Flex D60 UV Resistant – flexible parts that live outside

When an outdoor part needs to flex, seal or absorb impacts, use TPU Flex D60 UV Resistant. It is the firmest grade in our flexible range, certified UV resistant, and resists hydrolysis and microbes while staying flexible in the cold – ideal for boat fittings, bumpers, cable guides, seals and protective covers. Compare it with our softer grades in TPU 93A vs D53 vs D60.

Which filament for my outdoor project?

Design tips for outdoor parts

• Colour matters: dark parts in direct sun get much hotter than light ones. Use ASA for black or dark parts in hot climates.
• Add walls: 4 or more perimeters protect the infill from water and UV and make parts much stronger.
• Let water out: add drain holes to housings and avoid shapes that collect water.
• Use stainless fasteners and heat-set inserts instead of self-tapping screws in plastic.
• Avoid constant loads on thin sections: all plastics creep slowly under load, more so when warm.
• Dry before printing: wet PETG and TPU give weaker, more porous parts – see our drying guide.

Which filaments to avoid outdoors

• PLA: heat deflection is only about 55–60 °C, so parts can sag in a hot car or in direct sun. Fine for short-term use or shaded parts.
• Standard PETG: survives outdoors better than PLA, but colour fades and strength drops after prolonged sun exposure.
• ABS: strong and heat resistant, but it is not UV stabilised – it yellows and turns brittle in sunlight. Use ASA instead.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best filament for outdoor use?

ASA for rigid parts that get hot, PETG UV Resistant for most other rigid outdoor parts, and TPU Flex D60 UV Resistant for flexible parts. All three are certified UV resistant.

Is ASA better than PETG for outdoor parts?

ASA handles more heat (85 °C vs 62 °C) and is the better choice in full sun or in cars. PETG UV Resistant is easier to print, needs no enclosure and resists hydrolysis.

Can I use PLA outdoors?

Only for short-term or shaded parts. PLA softens around 55–60 °C and degrades over time outdoors.

Is standard PETG UV resistant?

Not for long-term use. Standard PETG fades and weakens after prolonged sun exposure; PETG UV Resistant is certified UV stable.

What filament should I use for car parts?

ASA. It has the highest heat deflection temperature of our outdoor materials. Inside a car in peak summer, test parts first, as dashboard temperatures can be very high.

Does painting PLA make it suitable for outdoors?

A UV-resistant paint or clear coat slows UV damage, but it does not raise PLA’s low heat resistance. For lasting outdoor parts, print in ASA or PETG UV Resistant.

About the author
Sergio Peciña is a qualified Electrical & Electronics Engineer and Eolas Prints' Technical Design Engineer, with over 10 years of experience in 3D printing. He founded the maker spaces at the University of La Rioja and IDIVAL Santander. Every Eolas Prints filament is manufactured in-house in Cantabria, Spain, to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.

Shop outdoor filaments: ASA | PETG UV Resistant | TPU Flex D60 UV Resistant – ISO-certified, made in Spain. Settings for every slicer: Eolas Prints slicer profiles.