PVA filament: the numbers
Polyvinyl alcohol. Typical uses: water-soluble support for PLA and PETG, sacrificial moulds, dissolvable cores.
1.23 g/cm³density (1.19–1.26)
338 mper kg at 1.75 mm
2.96 gper metre
190–220 °Cnozzle
50–60 °Cbed
0.3%linear shrinkage
$60typical per kg ($40–90)
50 °Cmax service temperature
Not neededenclosure
55 °C · 8 hdrying (high hygroscopic)
3/5difficulty · low strength · rigid
Printing tips
- Store sealed with desiccant and print from a dry box; it turns to goo in humid air.
- Do not leave it hot and idle in the nozzle; it carbonises and clogs.
- Dissolve in warm water, changing the water once or twice.
Grams ↔ metres for PVA
What a PVA print costs
Questions about PVA
What temperature should I print PVA at?
Nozzle 190–220 °C and bed 50–60 °C are the usual range. Start in the middle and tune with a temperature tower; no enclosure is needed.
How many metres of PVA are in a 1 kg spool?
About 338 m at 1.75 mm (density 1.23 g/cm³). One metre weighs 2.96 g.
Does PVA need drying?
Yes — it is very hygroscopic. Dry at 55 °C for 8 hours before printing if it has been open for more than a few days.
How much does PVA shrink?
About 0.3% linear. To compensate, scale X and Y by 100.30% in the slicer, or measure a test print and use the shrinkage calculator.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, wiki.bambulab.com