3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PVA vs TPU 95A

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

PVA (soluble support) guideTPU 95A guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PVA comparisonsMore TPU 95A comparisons
PVA vs TPU 95A — documented properties and sources
PropertyPVA (soluble support)SUPPORTTPU 95AFLEX
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$65.98/kg median; $42.00–$96.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $23.00–$106.05/kg across 15 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolyvinyl alcohol — a water-soluble support polymer[1][2]Thermoplastic polyurethane, polyester or polyether based, at about 92–95 Shore A[3][4]
Densityg/cm³0.6–0.9 (3DXTech AquaTek, ISO 1183) and 1.13 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[1][2]1.20–1.25 (ISO 1183); Prusament 1.25, Polymaker 1.20–1.24, Bambu Lab 1.22[3][4][5]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–96; the middle of the market is about 66[6][7][8][9]1 kg spools cluster near 35; the specialist and industrial brands run to 106[7][10][5][11][12][13]
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][14][9]23–106 across brands; IEMAI 3D 23, LANDU 24, Siraya Tech 25, PS Imports 25, PrimaCreator 32, Bambu Lab 35–42, Polymaker 40–50, add:north 72, Recreus 90, 3DXTech 96, NinjaTek Cheetah 106[10][15][7][6][11][12][16][17][18][13]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[6][7][8][14][9]Ubiquitous, every brand and retailer[7][6][10][15][11][12]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5 and 0.75 kg spools[6][7]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 1 kg spools[7][6]
Typical applicationsDissolvable support for PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG — Polymaker names those four for PolyDissolve S1[2]Gaskets, phone cases, tyres, vibration mounts and protective covers[19]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.06 (Prusament) — the loosest tolerance Prusa publishes, because soft filament deforms in the gauge[4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C215–225 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]210–240; Polymaker 210–230, Prusament 230 ± 10, Bambu Lab HF 220–240[3][4][5]
Bed temperature°C25–60 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]25–65; Prusament 65 ± 10, Bambu Lab 30–35, Polymaker 25–60[4][5][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[2]Open frame is fine[3]
Part cooling fanPart cooling fan required (Simplify3D)[20]Fan on[3][5]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet or painter's tape[20]PEI sheet or painter's tape; Polymaker warns TPU can over-stick and advises a glue stick as a release agent[21][19]
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]2.4 at Polymaker's 30–50 mm/s and 2.4 at Prusa's 30 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Bambu Lab's high-flow grade lifts the cap to 200 mm/s (16 mm³/s)[3][4][5]
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedNone[3]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Sticks to most surfaces[20]Sticks to most surfaces[3]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[20]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker specifies 3–6 mm retraction, well above the 1–3 mm used for rigid filaments[3]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; PVA is unusable once it has taken up moisture[22][2]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; the speed ceiling is the main constraint[3][4]
Extruder requirementA second extruder or a tool changer; PVA is a support material, not a model material[2]Direct drive strongly preferred. BASF rates its 95A grade as running on both direct-drive and Bowden machines, but every maker caps speed at 15–50 mm/s unless the grade is specifically high-flow[23][3][4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[2]Brass fine indefinitely[24]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[2]Non-abrasive[24]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Very high — frequent jams without careful setup; wet PVA foams and carbonises in the nozzle[22]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[22]
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[20]High — all-metal hotend and strong cooling needed; soft filament buckles in the cold zone if it slows[19]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required, but the nozzle must not be parked hot[20]No special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[21]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Very high (>2 %) — Polymaker measures 10.21 % equilibrium water absorption, by far the highest in the dataset[2]Low (0.1–0.3 %) by Prusa's measurement at 0.04 % in 7 days, but Polymaker measures 0.82 % equilibrium and groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials[4][3][22]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%10.21 equilibrium water absorption (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[2]0.82 equilibrium (Polymaker); 0.02 after 24 h and 0.04 after 7 days at 22 % RH (Prusa)[3][4]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented70 °C for 8 h (Polymaker); 70 °C for 8 h or an 80–90 °C heatbed for 12 h (Bambu Lab)[3][5]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface; with PVA this progresses to clogging[22]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[22]
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[22]Polymaker groups TPU with nylon, PVA and PETG as highly hygroscopic and says these often need to stay in a dryer while printing; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[22]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant at all times; PVA takes up water faster than any other filament here[22][2]Sealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[22]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPaNot documented41.4 ± 1.3 printed (Prusament, ISO 37); NinjaTek Cheetah 39 ultimate (ASTM D638)[4][25]
Elongation at break%Not documented551 ± 24 printed (Polymaker, ISO 37); the filament itself stretches 7264 % before break (Prusa, ISO 527)[3][4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented9.5 ± 0.2 (Prusament interlayer adhesion, ISO 527)[4]
Brittleness1–5Not documentedVery ductile — bends far before failing[3][4]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented92 ± 0.4 Shore A and 39 ± 0.7 Shore D (Prusament); 95A (Polymaker, ISO 7619-1); 91 Shore A / 40 Shore D (Fiberlogy FiberFlex 40D, ISO 7619); 95A (NinjaTek Cheetah, ASTM D2240); 94.5 A measured on a printed Bambu Lab 95A part and 96.2 A on a Qidi one (My Tech Fun)[4][3][26][25][27]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; PVA is not used structurally[1]Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; a loaded bar crept from 74.5 to 82.7 mm over 5 days[27]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Poor — fails after a few cycles[1]Excellent — living hinges viable[19]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Not documentedRubbery / highly elastic[3][4]
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 resistance is a headline property; BASF measures 64 mm³ loss by ISO 4649 on its 92A grade[23]
Thermal Properties
Glass transition (Tg)°C60 (3DXTech AquaTek, DSC)[1]Not documented
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented144 melting (BASF 95A, ISO 11357-3); Bambu Lab 183, Polymaker's modulus at 100 % elongation 8.9 MPa[23][5]
Continuous service temperature°CBounded by a glass transition of 60 °C[1]Bounded by a melting point of 144–183 °C; no loaded-bar service figure is published for TPU[23][5]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[3]
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[19]
Chemical resistanceDissolves in water; unusable in any wet or humid service environment[2][20]Good resistance to oils and common solvents (BASF)[23]
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)[19]
Biodegradability / compostabilityPVA is water-soluble and biodegrades in wastewater treatment, but Simplify3D notes disposal should follow local guidance[20]Not biodegradable[19]
RecyclabilityDissolved PVA goes to drain rather than to recycling[20]Not accepted in household plastic collection[19]
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[28]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[28]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[28]Open a window / occasional ventilation[28]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot sanded — it is dissolved away rather than finished[20]Sanding is impractical — the surface tears rather than abrades[19]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot applicable — PVA is a sacrificial support[20]Cyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[19]
Vapour / chemical smoothingWater is the solvent; no vapour smoothing is used[2]No practical vapour smoothing[19]
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; PolyDissolve S1 is rated for TPU[19]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedStringing and elephant-foot are the accuracy limits; retraction has to be long and slow[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inWater — tap water works cold, warm moving water is faster; 6–12 h typical, changing the water every few hours.[29][30]DMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[31]
Softened or crazed byNothing else: polyvinyl alcohol resists organic solvents, so an IPA or acetone rinse leaves the support intact.[32]Toluene and benzene swell it up to +50 % by weight at 23 °C; esters swell it severely; ethanol and IPA soften it.[31]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — water dissolves PVA rather than welding it, and no solvent gives it a smoothed surface.[29]None practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[31]

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. PolyFlex TPU95 Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  4. Prusament TPU 95A Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2025-05 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — TPU 95A HF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · 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. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. LANDU TPU 3D Printer Filament 1.75 mm 95A Black 1 kg — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. IEMAI 3D TPU 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Cheetah product page — print guidelines, spool sizes and price NinjaTek · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Reli3D PVA Filament 1.75 mm 500 g Natural — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. TPU for AMS — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Siraya Tech Flex TPU 95A Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. PrimaCreator EasyPrint FLEX TPU 95A product page PrimaCreator · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. add:north TPU Pro Matte 95A product page add:north · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. TPU — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. PVA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Ultrafuse TPU 95A Technical Data Sheet (Version 2.0) BASF Forward AM · 2022-08 · tds
  24. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  25. NinjaTek technical specs comparison chart (Cheetah, NinjaFlex, Armadillo, Alloy 910, Nylon 645) NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  26. FiberFlex 40D Technical Data Sheet Fiberlogy · 2026-08 · tds
  27. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  28. 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
  29. PolyDissolve S1 — Polymaker Wiki Polymaker · 2026-08 · doc
  30. 3DXTech AquaTek PVA product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  31. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Polyvinyl alcohol — KURARAY POVAL application guide Kuraray · 2026-08 · tds