All About PVA 3D Printing Filament： Materials, Properties, Definition

Within the realm of 3D printing, PVA is solely used to construct support scaffolds. It serves to support structures that would otherwise be impossible or ungainly to print. Once the printing is finished, the supports can be washed away. PVA supports are extruded by a second extruder but are otherwise built up in exactly the same way as the part’s primary material. For more information, see our guide on everything you need to know about 3D printing.

The typical PVA 3D printing filament available on Amazon is either pure PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) from a single source or a blend of several PVA materials. These PVA materials are meant to achieve the right balance of adhesion, strength, water solubility, and melt-flow characteristics. PVA is a synthetic polymer derived from the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate with the nominal formula [CH2CH(OH)]n.  

Filament for 3D printing is supplied in various diameters, but it is chemically pure PVA without any additives and co-polymers other than coloring agents. Some variation in molecular weight is normal between manufacturers – it varies based on the n value in the chemical formula. This variation in molecular weight affects melt temperature and density, so Esun PVA filament may not have exactly the same characteristics as Flashforge PVA filament, for example.

Some of the desirable properties of PVA filament are:

1. White in appearance (unless colored by addition).
2. Translucent.
3. Resistant to organic solvents and oils.
4. Highly water-soluble, depending on the degree of hydrolysis in its manufacture and its molecular weight.
5. Highly rated for tensile strength, compared with many polymers used in 3D printing.
6. More flexible and wear-resistant than many other polymers.

Comparison of PVA Filament Properties

A comparison of the PVA filament properties to HIPS (high impact polystyrene) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is shown in Table 1 below:

PVA is a moderately good print material during the actual printing process. It is more durable, stronger, and more temperature resistant than PLA (Polylactic Acid). However, models made of PVA have a short usable life. Under normal conditions, they will absorb moisture, swell, and soften much sooner and to a greater degree than PLA prints. But under dry conditions, PVA can be a useful build material. For a support material, PVA is unfortunately quite expensive. It is also compatible only with certain model materials that have similar melting temperatures. 

Why is PVA Used in 3D Printing?

The soluble nature of PVA makes it an ideal choice for the scaffolding that supports overhanging features. An additional benefit is that PVA adheres very well to build materials, allowing precise and slump-free printing.

How to Use PVA in 3D Printing

To get good results in prints using PVA filament, here are useful things to remember:

1. Store the PVA in dry conditions. If it has absorbed moisture, heat it between 45-55 °C and keep it at that temperature for at least an hour before printing.
2. Use an ooze shield or wipe wall during printing. The use of an ooze shield ensures good extruder priming and prevents runs and threads from adhering to the build and potentially interfering with the subsequent layers.
3. Use 30% density in the support features and 70-100% density at the model interface layers as starting values.
4. Setting the upper separation distance to zero layers makes for more accurate prints and better surface quality.
5. To dissolve PVA filament, immerse the whole part in warm water and wash remnants away once fully softened.

Listed in Table 2 below, are the recommended configuration settings for PVA:

Minimum wall thickness depends on the extruder diameter. A single-layer wall will not be stable over any significant height or length, so the wall must be at least 2 layers thick for basic stability. With a 0.4 mm nozzle, that means 0.8 mm walls at minimum, though 3 layers (1.2 mm) will be considerably more stable. 

What is a Good Wall Density for 3D Printing PVA?

A general guide is to start at around 50% infill density when 3D printing PVA. It’s rare to use infill densities of lower than 20% as this will add little strength to the part. Consider 75% to be the maximum – more material than that adds cost but does little for strength. 

No, typical PVA filament is not toxic. It is used for self-dissolving surgical implants, such as arterial stents, and as a binder and slow-release ‘timer’ in drug delivery systems. The material is harmless and, once hydrolyzed, breaks down to byproducts that pose no risk of toxicity.

Yes, PVA is highly water soluble. It is used as a binder for pills and a slow-release encapsulant agent for some drugs, both oral and implanted.

Yes, PVA is biodegradable. It dissipates in the environment quickly, and its dissolved byproducts provide nutrients for a range of bacteria and fungi.

PVA is often listed as recyclable. It is capable of re-melting and re-use, although it would be unusual to ever see quantities that justify such a process for PVA alone. If it is present in mixed thermoplastic polymer waste, it will not have adverse effects on the resultant material, despite its water solubility. It is miscible with other polymers and will likely only be present in small proportions.

Yes, PVA is highly hygroscopic. This property causes storage difficulties but allows printer filaments to dissolve in water. As more water is added, the material forms a hydrogel that has many industrial and commercial applications.

What is the Difference Between PVA and PLA in 3D Printing?

PLA (polylactic acid) is a polymer derived from plant material that is widely used for low-stress 3D printing applications. It is relatively weak, brittle, and does not resist wear, but prints well at low temperatures, providing moderate dimensional accuracy and good surface qualities in FDM/FFF models. PLA is used to create end-use parts while PVA functions almost exclusively as support scaffolding material that can be washed away at the completion of printing.

What is the Difference Between PVA and HIPS in 3D Printing?

HIPS (high-impact polystyrene) is a moderately-high-strength, wear-resistant polymer that is used to print break-off support scaffolds. It is relatively strong and resilient but bonds poorly to other polymers. This characteristic makes HIPS supports easy to separate from the model. It can be hard to print and needs temperatures up to 50°C higher than those typical for PVA filament. PVA, by contrast, has moderate strength and is water soluble. 

What is the Difference Between PVA and PETG in 3D Printing?

PETG is a popular and relatively easy-to-print build material that is strong, resilient, wear-resistant, and inexpensive. It is available in a wide range of colors and accepts many different additives and modifiers. Its print temperature is 230-250°C and it is considered relatively easy to print with. PVA can be used as a support material for PETG.

This article presented PVA 3D printing filament, explained what it is, and discussed how to use it for a variety of 3D printed parts. To learn more about PVA 3D printing filament, contact a Xometry representative.

Xometry provides a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, including 3D printing and other value-added services for all of your prototyping and production needs. Visit our website to learn more or to request a free, no-obligation quote.

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