Glossary · Filament

PVA

A water-soluble printing material for support structures. After printing, you put the part in water and the supports dissolve.

Explained in more detail

Polyvinyl alcohol. Used in multi-material printers as support for PLA, more rarely for PETG. Print temperature around 190 to 220 °C. Extremely hygroscopic: store it dry only and dry it before use, otherwise it becomes bubbly and brittle. Dissolving in lukewarm water (at most about 35 °C for PLA parts) takes hours depending on the amount. Alternative with faster solubility: BVOH.

Where does the term come from?

PVA stands for English "polyvinyl alcohol". The name refers to the alcohol groups (OH groups) on the chain, which make the material water-soluble.

In practice

Place PLA parts in water of no more than about 35 °C, otherwise the PLA can deform, and never above 50 °C.
Break off coarse support residues beforehand, and stirring or an ultrasonic cleaner shortens the dissolving.
Do not print PVA directly onto the plate, but onto 1 to 2 layers of PLA raft.
Dry at 45 to 55 °C for 6 to 10 hours and print straight from a dry box; 500 g spools make sense.
Often it is enough to print only the contact layer of the support in PVA, which saves expensive material and changes.

Not to be confused

Do not confuse it with PVA glue (white glue, wood glue): that consists of polyvinyl acetate, a different plastic with the same abbreviation.

Frequently asked questions

How long does PVA take to dissolve?

From under three hours to overnight, depending on quantity, water temperature and agitation. Change the water when it is saturated.

May PVA water go down the drain?

According to the manufacturer, yes, if the drain is connected to a sewage treatment plant. Then rinse briefly with warm water.

Printers that can process PVA

According to manufacturer specifications, from the 21 printers in the wiki: