3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PETG-GF vs PVA

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

Glass-fibre polyester (PETG-GF / PET-GF) guidePVA (soluble support) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PETG-GF comparisonsMore PVA comparisons
PETG-GF vs PVA — documented properties and sources
PropertyGlass-fibre polyester (PETG-GF / PET-GF)PETGPVA (soluble support)SUPPORT
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$27.38/kg median; $18.99–$29.99/kg across 3 dated product listings$65.98/kg median; $42.00–$96.00/kg across 5 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryGlass-fibre reinforced polyester. Polymaker's Fiberon PET-GF15 uses a PET rather than a PETG matrix and carries 15 wt% glass fibre[1]Polyvinyl alcohol — a water-soluble support polymer[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.43 (Fiberon PET-GF15, ISO 1183)[1]0.6–0.9 (3DXTech AquaTek, ISO 1183) and 1.13 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 25[4][5]1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–96; the middle of the market is about 66[6][5][7][8]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg19–30 across brands; ELEGOO 19, Polymaker Fiberon 30[4][5]42–96 across brands; IEMAI 3D E-WATER 42, YXPOLYER 55, Reli3D 66 at 500 g, Polymaker PolyDissolve S1 67 at 750 g, 3DXTech AquaTek 96 at 750 g in 1.75 mm[6][5][7][9][8]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[4][5]Stocked by most mainstream brands[6][5][7][9][8]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[5]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5 and 0.75 kg spools[6][5]
Typical applicationsStiff, dimensionally stable fixtures; the Fiberon grade is designed to be annealed for heat resistance[1]Dissolvable support for PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG — Polymaker names those four for PolyDissolve S1[3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented215–225 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented25–60 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Not documentedOpen frame is fine[3]
Part cooling fanNot documentedPart cooling fan required (Simplify3D)[10]
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[11][12]PEI sheet or painter's tape[10]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented4–12 at Polymaker's 50–150 mm/s on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[3]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[11][12]Sticks to most surfaces[10]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[12]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[10]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Not documentedIntermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; PVA is unusable once it has taken up moisture[13][3]
Extruder requirementNot documentedA second extruder or a tool changer; PVA is a support material, not a model material[3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[1]Non-abrasive[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for glass-filled composites[14]Very high — frequent jams without careful setup; wet PVA foams and carbonises in the nozzle[13]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[15]High — all-metal hotend and strong cooling needed; Simplify3D warns PVA clogs if the nozzle is left hot while not extruding[10]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[15]No special hot-end required, but the nozzle must not be parked hot[10]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate (0.3–0.8 %) — the PETG matrix reaches 0.40 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH; no glass-filled grade publishes its own figure[11]Very high (>2 %) — Polymaker measures 10.21 % equilibrium water absorption, by far the highest in the dataset[3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented10.21 equilibrium water absorption (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[13]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface; with PVA this progresses to clogging[13]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker groups PETG with nylon, PVA and TPU as highly hygroscopic; no dry-versus-conditioned strength figures are published for this grade and the loss shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[13]Polymaker groups PVA with nylon as the most moisture-prone class and says it often has to stay in a dryer while printing; there is no published dry-versus-conditioned strength comparison because PVA is not a structural material[13]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[13][12]Sealed with desiccant at all times; PVA takes up water faster than any other filament here[13][3]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa59.9 ± 0.8 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[1]Not documented
Young's modulusMPa4144 ± 133 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[1]Not documented
Elongation at break%4.0 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[1]Not documented
Flexural strengthMPa104.2 ± 2.4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[1]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa3705 ± 85 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[1]Not documented
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²8.7 ± 0.6 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Fiberon PET-GF15)[1]Not documented
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 27.2 ± 2.0 printed XY (Fiberon PET-GF15, ISO 179)[1]Not documented
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa48.2 ± 0.3 printed Z, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[1]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation 4.0 % in XY and 2.6 % in Z[1]Not documented
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Below average — no GF-grade creep test; the CF grades sagged to 14.8–16.7 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg against 17.1–20.4 mm unfilled[16][17][18]Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; PVA is not used structurally[2]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no GF-grade S-N curve; elongation at break falls to 4.0 % in XY against 5.2–9.3 % unfilled[1][19]Poor — fails after a few cycles[2]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Not documented
Z strength as % of XY%80 (Fiberon PET-GF15, printed Z against XY tensile)[1]Not documented
Wear resistance & frictionNot documented3DXTech marks tensile strength, modulus and elongation as not applicable for its PVA support grade — it is not characterised as a structural material[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C81.6 as printed, 133.7 after annealing (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[1]Not documented
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C71.8 as printed, 87.3 after annealing (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[1]Not documented
Glass transition (Tg)°C59.5 (DSC)[1]60 (3DXTech AquaTek, DSC)[2]
Melting point / Vicat°C231.6 melting (DSC); Vicat 232.6 (ISO 306)[1]Not documented
Continuous service temperature°CNot documentedBounded by a glass transition of 60 °C[2]
Annealing responseAnnealing lifts HDT at 0.45 MPa from 81.6 to 133.7 °C[1]Not documented
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K20 along the print bead and 63–74 in the build direction at 30 °C (30 wt% GF, large-format printed, TMA)[20]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94UL 94 HB at 1.5 mm (Fiberon PET-GF15)[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[2]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors, and dissolves in rain long before UV matters[3]
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[12]Dissolves in water; unusable in any wet or humid service environment[3][10]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedDissolves or disintegrates — by design[3][2]
Food contactNot certified for food contact as filament[12]Not offered as a food-contact material[2]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[12]PVA is water-soluble and biodegrades in wastewater treatment, but Simplify3D notes disposal should follow local guidance[10]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[12]Dissolved PVA goes to drain rather than to recycling[10]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-GF15, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[1]Surface resistance above 10^13 ohm/sq (ASTM D257, 3DXTech AquaTek PVA)[2]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[21]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; none of these materials was in the chamber study[21]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[21]Open a window / occasional ventilation[21]
Dust & fibre handling hazardGlass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[15]Not sanded — it is dissolved away rather than finished[10]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[15]Not applicable — PVA is a sacrificial support[10]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[15]Water is the solvent; no vapour smoothing is used[3]
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[15]This is the support material; Polymaker pairs PolyDissolve S1 with PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inNo common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[22][23]Water — tap water works cold, warm moving water is faster; 6–12 h typical, changing the water every few hours.[24][25]
Softened or crazed byAcetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[22]Nothing else: polyvinyl alcohol resists organic solvents, so an IPA or acetone rinse leaves the support intact.[26]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[23]None — water dissolves PVA rather than welding it, and no solvent gives it a smoothed surface.[24]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. Fiberon PET-GF15 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  2. AquaTek PVA Water Soluble Support Technical Data Sheet v1.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. PolyDissolve S1 Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  4. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. YXPOLYER PVA 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. IEMAI 3D E-WATER water-soluble support filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Reli3D PVA Filament 1.75 mm 500 g Natural — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. PVA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  11. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  12. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  15. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Extrudr PETG vs PCTG vs XPETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  17. Prusament PETG-CF vs PETG V0 vs PETG — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  18. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  19. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  20. Effects of Fiber Orientation on the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Fiber-Filled Polymer Systems in Large Format Polymer Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing Materials 15(8):2764 · 2022-04 · paper
  21. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  22. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  23. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  24. PolyDissolve S1 — Polymaker Wiki Polymaker · 2026-08 · doc
  25. 3DXTech AquaTek PVA product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  26. Polyvinyl alcohol — KURARAY POVAL application guide Kuraray · 2026-08 · tds