All about PVA filaments

What is PVA filament?

Main properties of PVA filament:

Soluble in water Print temperature 180°C and 220°C Very suitable as support material Enables complex 3D printing Good adhesion with ABS and PLA

One of the advantages of PVA filament is that it is soluble in water. This makes it very suitable for use as support material. If you print with two different filament types, PVA is ideal for creating hollow spaces and openings in your 3D print. If you place the printed object in water, only the PVA part will disappear and the second material will remain.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of PVA filament?

	Advantages PVA filament		Disadvantages PVA filament
	Ideal as support material		Store airtight
	Good adhesion to PLA and ABS		Responds quickly to water
	Non-toxic		Slow printing to avoid under-extrusion
	Biodegradable		Suffering from warping when cooling too quickly
	Soluble in water

Tips for printing with PVA filament:

• When your PVA filament has absorbed moisture, you can get this moisture out using a filament drybox. Another option is to put the filament in the oven for a few hours on the lowest setting.

• If you print with multiple extruders, you can prevent the PVA filament from leaking by cooling the PVA hot end.

• PVA filament is very suitable for making rafts.

• Do not print at a higher temperature than 220°C, this can result in crystallization of the filament. When this happens, the PVA filament is no longer soluble in water.

• Do not print at a higher temperature than 220°C, this can result in crystallization of the filament. When this happens, the PVA filament is no longer soluble in water.
• Order a PVA filament sample package to get acquainted with this filament

PVA filament and accessories: 

• PVA filament: 1.75 mm / 2.85 mm
• Hygrometer: A hygrometer displays the temperature and moisture percentage of the environment. Store your filament under the right conditions using a hygrometer.
• Filament drybox: Dry your PVA filament before printing.
• Drying bag: Add a silica gel bag to your dry box to promote a dry environment for your filament.