PVA (Support Material)
190–220
°C
Print Temp
60
°C
Max Service
Overview
Polyvinyl Alcohol — water-soluble support filament for dual-extrusion printers. Dissolves completely in warm water. No solvents, no manual removal, no surface marks. Essential for complex overhangs and internal channels that no other support strategy can handle.
Properties
Difficulty
intermediate
Flexibility
semi-flex
Layer Adhesion
fair
Enclosure
no
Heated Bed
no
Dry Storage
required
Pros
- Water-soluble — no chemicals needed
- Zero surface damage on main material
- Enables any geometry
- Works with PLA, PETG, Nylon
- Biodegradable
- No mechanical breakaway damage
Cons
- Extremely hygroscopic — degrades in hours without sealing
- Expensive per kg
- 12-24h dissolve time
- Clogs easily if printed wet
- Only compatible with certain material pairs
- Short shelf life once opened
Best For
- Complex overhangs in dual-extrusion|Internal channels|Hollow structures|Fully enclosed voids|Fine detail supports
Avoid For
- Single-extrusion printers|Long multi-day prints in humid conditions|Parts that contact water in use
Storage
Critical: seal immediately after use in airtight container with abundant desiccant. Dry at 45-55°C for 6h — never exceed 60°C or PVA degrades. Use a filament dry box during printing.
Brands
Polymaker PolyDissolve S1Ultimaker PVAeSUN PVA+Bambu Lab PVA