Helios Support (support for ABS, ASA) | FormFutura
Helios Support is a water-soluble PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) support material for complex multi-extrusion 3D printing with styrene-based materials or thermoplastics that need to be printed at elevated temperatures. It has excellent thermal stability and can be printed at nozzle temperatures up to 250° C, making it a reliable support material with good thermal and chemical adherence to Styrene-based filaments and other materials that require high printing temperatures. Some key features of Helios Support include:
Technical informations
Thermal properties |
Filament properties | |
| Country of origin | Netherland |
| Filament density | 1.19 g/mm3 |
| Diameter tolerance | 0.05 mm |
Spool weight and dimensions |
How to store filaments
Humidity and UV light can decrease the filament quality and weaken its mechanical properties. We strongly recommend storing open filaments in a dry and dark place. You can find a complete guide on how to properly store your filament here
Where to throw print fails and supports?
We kindly ask our customers to cope with plastic waste responsibly. Failed prints, support material, rafts, or brims should be liquidated according to the local guidelines. Paradoxically, in most cases, it is better to throw this waste in the regular trash can, as most of the material waste created in 3D printing is not identified, which causes more problems than benefits in the waste sorting facilities.
Helios Support (support for ABS, ASA) | FormFutura
Helios Support is a water-soluble PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) support material for complex multi-extrusion 3D printing with styrene-based materials or thermoplastics that need to be printed at elevated temperatures. It has excellent thermal stability and can be printed at nozzle temperatures up to 250° C, making it a reliable support material with good thermal and chemical adherence to Styrene-based filaments and other materials that require high printing temperatures. Some key features of Helios Support include:
- Good solubility in lukewarm water, with the dissolvability process accelerated by circulating water
- Excellent thermal stability, with a maximum temperature of 250° C and a tested resistance to flow up to 256 seconds
- Compatibility with heated build chambers up to 60° C
- Biodegradability when dissolved in water
- Safe dissolution in tap water and easy disposal in the kitchen sink or household drain
- Good bonding to Styrene-based materials and other plastics that print within a similar temperature range
- Good adherence to materials such as ABS, TitanX, ClearScent ABS, ApolloX, Crystal Flex, Python Flex, and Volcano PLA.
General information about PVA :
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is a water-soluble support filament. You print it from a second extruder or a multi-material system under overhangs, inside cavities and around moving parts, then dissolve it in tap water and get clean surfaces without breaking supports off. It is meant for owners of dual-extrusion and multi-material printers who print complex geometry in PLA, PETG, ABS or ASA. All support filaments listed here ship from our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia.
Properties of PVA
- Water-soluble – dissolves in tap water; lukewarm, circulating water speeds the process up.
- Very hygroscopic – absorbs moisture from the air quickly, so it has to be stored and printed dry.
- Matched to the model material – the support must print at a temperature close to the model material, which is why there are separate versions for PLA, PETG and ABS/ASA.
Print settings
- AquaSolve (for PLA): nozzle about 200 °C, never above 210 °C; bed 60 °C.
- Atlas Support (for PETG): nozzle about 200 °C, maximum 225 °C; bed 60 °C.
- Helios Support (for ABS, ASA): nozzle about 245 °C, up to 250 °C; bed 70 °C; heated chamber up to 60 °C.
- PolyDissolve™ S1 (for PLA, TPU, PVB, Nylon): nozzle about 220 °C, bed 60 °C; dry at 80 °C for 12 h.
- Print speed 20–60 mm/s, no enclosure needed. Keep the idle nozzle temperature low so that PVA does not crystallise.
Typical uses
Hollow parts with internal channels, large overhangs, print-in-place mechanisms and other shapes where supports cannot be reached with tools. PVA can also be used to print dissolvable moulds.
Pros and cons
- Pros: support-free surfaces, almost unlimited geometry, no tools needed for removal.
- Cons: requires a dual-extrusion or multi-material printer, very sensitive to moisture, needs careful tuning of temperatures.
Frequently asked questions
Which PVA should I choose?
Match it to your model material: AquaSolve or PolyDissolve™ S1 for PLA, Atlas Support for PETG and Helios Support for ABS and ASA. Polymaker states that PolyDissolve™ S1 also supports TPU, PVB and Nylon very well, but not ABS or PC.
How should I store PVA?
In a sealed bag or box with desiccant, ideally dried before every print. Wet PVA bubbles, strings and can clog the nozzle.
Is PolySupport™ Breakaway a PVA?
No. PolySupport™ is a breakaway support for Polymaker PLA that you remove by hand, not with water. We list it together with the other support filaments.
Browse all PVA and support filaments. For ABS prints you can also use HIPS, a support material that dissolves in limonene.
FormFutura is a supplier of additive manufacturing materials founded in 2012. Its range covers filaments, resins and adhesives, from easy everyday PLA to engineering polymers and water-soluble support materials. At JustCreate3D the FormFutura products we list are stocked in our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia, and dispatched as soon as your order comes in.
The brand is known for promoting sustainable packaging in the 3D printing industry, for supplying recycled products and for supporting green initiatives. FormFutura also keeps renewing its portfolio with new materials, and offers XXL spools of up to 8 kg for users who print a lot.
FormFutura products at JustCreate3D
- PLA and decorative filaments – Volcano PLA, SKULPT and MetalFil, a PLA filled with about 80% copper or bronze powder.
- Technical filaments – ApolloX ASA, ABSpro Flame Retardant, STYX-12 Nylon, Centaur PP and Pegasus PP-HGS25 Ultralight.
- Support materials – AquaSolve (PVA support for PLA), Atlas Support (for PETG) and Helios Support (for ABS and ASA).
- SLA/LCD resins – Platinum LCD Series General Purpose, and the Tough and Heavy Duty resins of the Engineering SLA Series.
Who is FormFutura for?
FormFutura suits makers who want one supplier for both standard and technical work: designers who need a special look (metal-filled or textured PLA), engineers printing outdoor parts in ASA or polypropylene, and anyone printing complex shapes with soluble supports. Resin users will find general-purpose and engineering resins from the same brand.
Frequently asked questions
Which FormFutura support material should I choose?
Match the support to your main filament: AquaSolve is made for PLA, Atlas Support for PETG and Helios Support for ABS and ASA. PVA-type supports absorb moisture quickly, so store the spool dry and dry it before printing if it has been open for a while.
Do I need a special nozzle for MetalFil?
Yes. According to FormFutura, MetalFil should be printed with a hardened nozzle of 0.4 mm or larger, with retraction enabled. It works with full-metal, PEEK and PTFE hotends and with both direct drive and Bowden extruders.
Where are the FormFutura resins?
The Platinum LCD and Engineering SLA Series resins are in our resin section, not among the filaments.
Browse all FormFutura filaments or see the FormFutura resins in resins for 3D printing.