The document discusses PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), a biodegradable, water-soluble polymer used in 3D printing, especially as a support material for complex geometries. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of PVA, printing conditions, and practical tips for successful use, such as maintaining dryness and using dual-extrusion setups. Lastly, it emphasizes the effective application of PVA for high-quality printing results.

1. September 26, 2020
3D PRINTING WITH PVA
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As the 3D printing technology is developing, so is the market for various materials to
print with. There are many 3D printing materials available to choose from but each one
of them has some specific quality.
In this article, we will be talking about one such material - PVA. You will learn all you
need to know about it and how it is different from all other materials.
WHAT IS PVA?
PVA, or Polyvinyl Alcohol, is a synthetic, soft and biodegradable polymer formed by
polymerizing vinyl acetate, which is then hydrolyzed to create PVA filament for 3D
printing services.
It is commonly known for its water-solubility and excellent adhesive properties. It is
translucent white in appearance and resistant to oil, grease and other solvents. It has
high tensile strength and flexibility.
Due to its water-soluble nature, it is often used as a support structure to achieve
complex geometries in intricate 3D prints.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF PVA?
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2. Pros of PVA :
1. Great water-solubility
2. High tensile strength
3. Easy to print
4. Odorless, non-toxic & biodegradable
5. Good for supporting complex prints
Cons of PVA :
1. Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air)
2. Storage in air-tight containers required
3. Prone to clogging while extrusion
4. Expensive
5. Requires adequate disposal
HOW TO 3D PRINT WITH PVA?
Like every other material, certain conditions need to be kept in mind while 3D printing
with PVA. Due to its usage as a support material, it is usually developed for dual-
extrusion prints.
TEMPERATURE: Depending on the brand of PVA filament that you are using, the
extruder temperature varies between 200- 250°C. A build plate temperature of 60°C is
required if you're using PVA as a single material. However, if it is printed as a support
material, simply use the build plate temperature required for the accompanying
material.
ADHESION: PVA can adhere well to the heated glass plate by itself depending upon
the brand but sometimes a thin layer of glue might be required. For dual-extrusion
prints, the adhesion method might differ based on the accompanying build material.
PRINT ENVIRONMENT: No additional hardware is required to create a stable
printing environment while printing only with PVA. However, while using another build
material with it, an enclosure might be required depending on the material.
It is also important to remember that PVA is a hygroscopic material. This means that it
absorbs moisture from the environment. Therefore, it should be kept dry at all costs for
the best printing results. For this, you should store your PVA filament in a sealed
container with silica beads to reduce moisture.
Also, PVA printed parts need to be kept in water for a few hours (depending on the
brand) until there's no undissolved material left.
WHAT ARE THE TIPS AND TRICKS FOR SUCCESSFUL PVA 3D
PRINTING?
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3. Always keep the filament dry
It is PVA's job to dissolve in water. Unfortunately, it doesn't know the difference
between water that we need it to dissolve in and moisture in the air. That is why it's
important to store it correctly. PVA should be stored in a dry and cool place, away from
moisture as well as sunlight. An easy option is storing it in an airtight container with a
desiccant.
Brims should be made of PVA
PVA is good adhesive but only when it is allowed to stick to itself. That is why you
should make the brims used to support your model while printing from PVA and not the
model material.
Regularly cleaning the nozzle or hot end
PVA tends to ooze and carbonize easily than other filaments. It can clog or jam the
nozzle more frequently. Therefore it is important to clean your 3D printer's nozzle/print
core when using PVA.
Another hack is to use an ooze shield while using PVA as a support material for PLA
prints. This will prime the PVA extruder after every tool change and it will be ready to
print at the start of the layer. Moreover, the shield will prevent the plastic deposits from
reaching your part by catching any oozing from both nozzles. You can remove and
discard the ooze shield after the printing process is done.
Speed up dissolving time
The time required for PVA to dissolve completely is typically between 12-18 hours but
this varies depending on the brand of PVA you're using. However, if patience is not your
strong suit, you can reduce this time by several ways.
Removing the extra material manually before placing it in water. This includes the
large pieces that can be broken off using pliers. But be very careful while doing
this and don't damage your precious model!
Using hot water - If the temperature of the water is higher than the room
temperature, PVA will dissolve faster. But be careful not to heat it to a very high
temperature if you've used materials like PLA in your model. You can use a heater
for this or change the cool water again with warm water.
Stirring the water: PVA will dissolve faster if you keep the water moving. This can
be done by using a pump or an ultrasonic tank.
In multi - extruder setups, you can cool down the PVA hot end when it
is not in use. This will prevent oozing and clogging.
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4. For a better finish, set the support upper separation distance to zero
layers. It doesn't matter if PVA adheres to the part while printing
because it will be dissolved away.
HOW IS PVA USED IN 3D PRINTING?
PVA is commonly used to make :
Decorative parts
Quick prototypes
Removable supports or rafts
Support material for complex prints
CONCLUSION
If you have access to a dual- or multi-extruder FDM 3D printer, PVA is a great solution
for you to substitute difficult support removal. It is the best filament if you want to
make detailed, clean and high-quality models.
If you decide to work with PVA, be sure to use it in the right way keeping all the tips
explained earlier in mind. You're sure to succeed and come up with the best 3D print.
Also Read : 10 REASONS WHY OCTOPRINT IS AMAZING
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