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.