PVA vs TPE
How PVA and TPE compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- TPE typically prints about 30 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PVA typically prints about 10 °C hotter on the bed.
- TPE is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 8 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 22 PVA filaments in 24 colours, and 13 TPE filaments in 41 colours.
| PVA | TPE | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polyvinyl alcohol | Thermoplastic elastomer |
| Filaments listed | 22 | 13 |
| Brands | 15 | 9 |
| Colours | 24 | 41 |
| Nozzle temperature | 180–210 °C | 210–240 °C |
| Bed temperature | 50–60 °C | 30–60 °C |
| Density | 1.23 g/cm³ | 1.20 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 338 m | about 346 m |
| Max drying temperature | 55 °C | 60 °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
1 brand makes both PVA and TPE.