PA12 vs PVA
How PA12 and PVA compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PA12 typically prints about 60 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PA12 typically prints about 35 °C hotter on the bed.
- PA12 is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 74 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 50 PA12 filaments in 90 colours, and 22 PVA filaments in 24 colours.
| PA12 | PVA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nylon 12 (polyamide 12) | Polyvinyl alcohol |
| Filaments listed | 50 | 22 |
| Brands | 26 | 15 |
| Colours | 90 | 24 |
| Nozzle temperature | 240–270 °C | 180–210 °C |
| Bed temperature | 80–100 °C | 50–60 °C |
| Density | 1.01 g/cm³ | 1.23 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 412 m | about 338 m |
| Max drying temperature | 70 °C | 55 °C |
Temperatures are medians across each material's filaments, rounded to 5 °C. Always check the maker's settings for a specific filament.
Brands that make both
8 brands make both PA12 and PVA.