PVA filament properties
Data taken from 6 datasheets from manufacturers in Spain, Europe, the United States and China, reviewed on October 26, 2026. The shaded bar marks the median of the declared values and each colored tick is a different datasheet. The scales are the same across the whole library, so you can compare materials at a glance.
PVA temperature and print settings
| Setting | Typical value | Range in datasheets |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 195–222 °C | 180–250 °C |
| Bed | 30–65 °C | 25–70 °C |
| Print speed | 50–175 mm/s | 20–200 mm/s |
| Drying temperature | 80 °C | 80–80 °C |
| Drying time | 10 h | 8–12 h |
PVA vs HIPS, PLA, and PETG: comparison
Medians from each material's datasheets. Click a material to see its full range.
Meters of PVA per spool
Calculated with the median density from the datasheets (1.19 g/cm³). Real spools can vary by a few meters because of diameter tolerance.
What is PVA filament and what is it for
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is a water-soluble polymer. In 3D printing it is not used to make parts but as a support material: on a dual-extruder printer or one with automatic spool change, PVA fills the gaps under overhangs, internal cavities and print-in-place mechanisms. When finished, you put the part in water and the support disappears without leaving marks.
The 6 datasheets analyzed print it with the nozzle at 195–222 °C, a window that matches that of PLA, its most common partner.
Which filaments to pair PVA with
- PLA: the most reliable combination, because the temperatures of the two overlap.
- PETG: some PETG manufacturers recommend PVA as a support, although the temperature difference forces you to tune the nozzle carefully.
- High-temperature materials such as ABS or polycarbonate: PVA degrades at those temperatures. For ABS, the usual soluble support is HIPS, which dissolves in limonene.
There is also BVOH, another water-soluble polymer that dissolves faster and adheres better to some materials, at a higher price.
How to dissolve PVA supports
- Remove by hand any support that comes off easily.
- Submerge the part in lukewarm water. Hot water speeds up dissolving, but without exceeding the temperature the part's material can take.
- Change the water when it saturates and move the part from time to time, or use an agitated container.
- Rinse the part and let it dry.
How to store PVA so it doesn't spoil
PVA is one of the most hygroscopic filaments there is. With moisture it turns soft and sticky, jams in the extruder and stops printing well. Always keep it in a sealed bag with desiccant, print it from a dry box and take it out only for as long as needed.
Frequently asked questions about PVA filament
How long does PVA take to dissolve?
It depends on the amount of support, its thickness and the water temperature: from under an hour for small parts in lukewarm water to several hours for massive supports.
Can you use PVA with a single nozzle?
Yes, with printers that change spools automatically or by printing only the support interface in PVA. But the most practical way is a dual-extruder printer or one with a multi-material system.