PolySmooth™ (PVB) Glossy Effect | Polymaker™
Technical informations
Thermal properties |
Filament properties | |
| Country of origin | China |
| 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.
PolySmooth™ (PVB) Glossy Effect | Polymaker™
General information about PVB :
PVB (polyvinyl butyral) is a filament that prints almost like PLA but can be smoothed with isopropyl alcohol into a glossy surface without visible layer lines. It is for makers who want polished display models, vases, lamp shades or figurines without sanding or acetone. We stock Polymaker PolySmooth™ and the Polysher™ smoothing machine in our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia.
Properties of PVB
- PLA-like printability – no warping, no enclosure needed.
- Soluble in isopropyl alcohol – the surface melts slightly in alcohol, which is what makes smoothing possible. Polymaker recommends alcohol of at least 90 %.
- Controllable smoothing – the reaction is slower than with ABS and acetone, so you have more control over the final look.
- Mainly aesthetic – PVB is chosen for its finish rather than for heat resistance or mechanical load.
Print settings (PolySmooth™)
- Nozzle about 200 °C, bed about 70 °C.
- Part cooling 70–100 %.
- Print speed 40–60 mm/s.
- No enclosure needed.
Smoothing with the Polysher™
The Polysher™ uses a nebulizer to create a fine mist of alcohol that evenly smooths the part. A cycle takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on the quality of the raw print, and the largest part that fits is 150 mm in diameter and 180 mm high. Alcohol is not included. Never use acetone in the Polysher™. Besides PolySmooth™, it also works with PolyCast™.
Pros and cons
- Pros: glossy, layer-free surface without sanding; prints as easily as PLA; alcohol is easier to handle than acetone.
- Cons: needs alcohol and good ventilation for smoothing; meant for visual parts rather than functional ones; part size is limited by the Polysher™ chamber.
Frequently asked questions
Can I smooth PVB without the Polysher™?
Yes, PVB reacts with alcohol vapour, so it can also be smoothed in other ways. The Polysher™ makes the result even and repeatable.
Which support material works with PVB?
According to Polymaker, the water-soluble PolyDissolve™ S1 supports PVB very well, so complex PolySmooth™ models can be printed on a dual-extrusion printer.
See all PVB filaments in stock. If you do not need smoothing, PLA filament is the simpler choice for visual models.
PolyMaker is a premium quality 3D printing filament manufacturer. They're known for "hacking" 3D printing materials where their materials overtake any competition. With 7 registered technologies, their 3D printing filaments widen the range of applications of any desktop 3D printer. One of the most interesting is PolySmooth's layer-free technology, where when combined with the Polysher, you can obtain a perfectly smooth and perfectly layer-free print. Recently, PolyMaker decided to lower its impact on the planet and released PolyTerra™, an ecological breakthrough among filaments, where the filament, the package, and the spool are biodegradable. In addition, a tree is planted for each sold filament!
Material Comparison Chart
A comprehensive and extremely valuable resource provided by PolyMaker is the comparison chart. The chart is a true goldmine allowing easy comparison between materials with each mechanical and thermal property. It also includes data about the ease of printing.
Print Profiles
On Polymaker's download page you can find print profiles for most commercial 3D printers like Prusa, Flashforge, Raise3D, Ultimaker, Lulzbot.. also tweaked for different slicers, like Prusa Slicer, Cura or even IdeaMaker.
Browse all Polymaker™ filaments in stock in our Senec warehouse. PolyDryer, PolyBox and the Polysher smoothing machine are in 3D printing accessories.