3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PVA vs TPU 85A

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

PVA (soluble support) guideTPU 85A guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PVA comparisonsMore TPU 85A comparisons
PVA vs TPU 85A — documented properties and sources
PropertyPVA (soluble support)SUPPORTTPU 85AFLEX
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$65.98/kg median; $42.00–$96.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$89.89/kg median; $31.99–$106.05/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolyvinyl alcohol — a water-soluble support polymer[1][2]Soft thermoplastic polyurethane at 82–85 Shore A[3][4][5]
Densityg/cm³0.6–0.9 (3DXTech AquaTek, ISO 1183) and 1.13 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[1][2]1.11 (BASF Ultrafuse 85A) to 1.19 (NinjaFlex 85A), ISO 1183 / ASTM D792[5][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–96; the middle of the market is about 66[6][7][8][9]1 kg-equivalent spools span 32–106; the middle of the market is about 90[6][10][3]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg42–96 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][7][8][11][9]32–106 across brands; Siraya Tech Flex TPU 85A 32 at 1 kg, add:north TPU Pro Matte 85A 72, Recreus Filaflex 82A 90 at 500 g, Proto-pasta Clear Flexible TPU 90, 3DXTech 3DXFLEX 85A 96, NinjaTek NinjaFlex 106[12][6][10][13][3]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[6][7][8][11][9]Available from several mainstream brands[6][12]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5 and 0.75 kg spools[6][7]1.75, 2.85 and 3 mm; 0.5, 1 and 2 kg spools[6][12][3]
Typical applicationsDissolvable support for PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG — Polymaker names those four for PolyDissolve S1[2]Soft-touch grips, seals, wearables and anything that must compress and rebound[3][4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C215–225 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]200–220 (BASF Ultrafuse 85A, 210 typical)[5]
Bed temperature°C25–60 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]40 (BASF Ultrafuse 85A)[5]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[2]Open frame is fine[5]
Part cooling fanPart cooling fan required (Simplify3D)[14]Not documented
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet or painter's tape[14]PEI sheet or painter's tape; Polymaker warns TPU can over-stick and advises a glue stick as a release agent[15][16]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s4–12 at Polymaker's 50–150 mm/s on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[2]1.2–3.2 at the 15–40 mm/s BASF specifies on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[5]
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedNone[5]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Sticks to most surfaces[14]Sticks to anything — Recreus states its 82A grade has excellent bed adhesion without a heated bed or additives[4]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[14]High — drying plus tuning needed[17][16]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; PVA is unusable once it has taken up moisture[17][2]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; at this hardness the filament will not push through a Bowden tube[3][4]
Extruder requirementA second extruder or a tool changer; PVA is a support material, not a model material[2]Direct drive only. NinjaTek calls its 85A grade ideal for direct-drive extruders and Recreus specifies direct-drive printers for 82A; BASF caps print speed at 15–40 mm/s with a nozzle of 0.4 mm or larger[3][4][5]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[2]Brass fine indefinitely[18]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[2]Non-abrasive[18]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Very high — frequent jams without careful setup; wet PVA foams and carbonises in the nozzle[17]High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles[17][16]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5High — all-metal hotend and strong cooling needed; Simplify3D warns PVA clogs if the nozzle is left hot while not extruding[14]Very high — softens in the cold zone readily; soft filament buckles between the drive gear and the melt zone[16][3]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required, but the nozzle must not be parked hot[14]No special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[15]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Very high (>2 %) — Polymaker measures 10.21 % equilibrium water absorption, by far the highest in the dataset[2]Moderate — NinjaTek measures 0.22 % in 24 h (ASTM D570) and BASF specifies a 70 °C dry for at least 5 h[3][5]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%10.21 equilibrium water absorption (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]0.22 after 24 h water immersion (NinjaFlex 85A, ASTM D570) — an immersion figure, not an equilibrium moisture content at 50 % RH[3]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented70 °C for at least 5 h in a hot-air dryer or vacuum oven (BASF)[5]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface; with PVA this progresses to clogging[17]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[17]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker 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[17]Polymaker groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials; wet TPU prints with poor layer adhesion and weak, brittle layers[17]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant at all times; PVA takes up water faster than any other filament here[17][2]Sealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[17]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPaNot documented26 ultimate (NinjaFlex 85A, ASTM D638)[3]
Young's modulusMPaNot documented12 (NinjaFlex 85A, ASTM D638) — two orders of magnitude below any rigid filament; NinjaTek's 95A Cheetah reaches 26 by the same method[3][19]
Elongation at break%Not documented650 at break (Filaflex 82A) and 660 (NinjaFlex 85A); BASF measures 600 in XY and 320 in ZX[4][3][5]
Brittleness1–5Not documentedVery ductile — bends far before failing[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented29 Shore D / 85 Shore A (BASF Ultrafuse 85A, ISO 7619-1); 85 Shore A (NinjaFlex, ASTM D2240); 82 A nominal for Filaflex[3][5][4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; PVA is not used structurally[1]Poor — no 85A creep test; a printed 95A TPU bar crept from 74.5 to 82.7 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, and softer grades creep more[20]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Poor — fails after a few cycles[1]Excellent — living hinges viable[16]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Not documentedRubbery / highly elastic[3][4]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented53 — BASF measures 320 % elongation at break in ZX against 600 % in XY[5]
Wear resistance & friction3DXTech marks tensile strength, modulus and elongation as not applicable for its PVA support grade — it is not characterised as a structural material[1]Abrasion 0.08 g mass loss over 10 000 cycles (NinjaFlex, ASTM D4060); 82 mm³ (BASF, ISO 4649)[3][5]
Thermal Properties
Glass transition (Tg)°C60 (3DXTech AquaTek, DSC)[1]Not documented
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented216 melting (NinjaFlex 85A, DSC)[3]
Continuous service temperature°CBounded by a glass transition of 60 °C[1]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors, and dissolves in rain long before UV matters[2]Good — years with some colour shift; Polymaker lists UV exposure among the conditions TPU withstands[16]
Chemical resistanceDissolves in water; unusable in any wet or humid service environment[2][14]Withstands industrial solvents and UV exposure (Polymaker)[16]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Dissolves or disintegrates — by design[2][1]Not documented
Food contactNot offered as a food-contact material[1]Not food safe without specific certification (Polymaker)[16]
Biodegradability / compostabilityPVA is water-soluble and biodegrades in wastewater treatment, but Simplify3D notes disposal should follow local guidance[14]Not biodegradable[16]
RecyclabilityDissolved PVA goes to drain rather than to recycling[14]Not accepted in household plastic collection[16]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10^13 ohm/sq (ASTM D257, 3DXTech AquaTek PVA)[1]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; none of these materials was in the chamber study[21]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[21]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[21]Open a window / occasional ventilation[21]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot sanded — it is dissolved away rather than finished[14]Difficult to sand or smooth; Polymaker limits post-processing to trimming or tumbling[16]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot applicable — PVA is a sacrificial support[14]Cyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[16]
Vapour / chemical smoothingWater is the solvent; no vapour smoothing is used[2]No practical vapour smoothing[16]
Support material pairingThis is the support material; Polymaker pairs PolyDissolve S1 with PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG[2]Polymaker warns TPU supports are often very difficult to remove[16]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inWater — tap water works cold, warm moving water is faster; 6–12 h typical, changing the water every few hours.[22][23]DMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[24]
Softened or crazed byNothing else: polyvinyl alcohol resists organic solvents, so an IPA or acetone rinse leaves the support intact.[25]Toluene and benzene swell it up to +50 % by weight at 23 °C; esters swell it severely; ethanol and IPA soften it.[24]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — water dissolves PVA rather than welding it, and no solvent gives it a smoothed surface.[22]None practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[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. AquaTek PVA Water Soluble Support Technical Data Sheet v1.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. PolyDissolve S1 Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  3. NinjaFlex 85A Technical Specifications NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Filaflex 82A product page (Shore hardness and elongation) Recreus · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. Ultrafuse TPU 85A Technical Data Sheet (Version 3.0) BASF Forward AM · 2022-08 · tds
  6. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. YXPOLYER PVA 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. IEMAI 3D E-WATER water-soluble support filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Siraya Tech Flex TPU 85A Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Reli3D PVA Filament 1.75 mm 500 g Natural — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. add:north TPU Pro Matte 85A product page add:north · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. PVA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. TPU — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  19. NinjaTek technical specs comparison chart (Cheetah, NinjaFlex, Armadillo, Alloy 910, Nylon 645) NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  20. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  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. PolyDissolve S1 — Polymaker Wiki Polymaker · 2026-08 · doc
  23. 3DXTech AquaTek PVA product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  24. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  25. Polyvinyl alcohol — KURARAY POVAL application guide Kuraray · 2026-08 · tds