PVB Filament Guide: The Smoothable Filament
What makes PVB different
PVB (polyvinyl butyral) dissolves in isopropyl alcohol. After printing, exposing the part to IPA vapour in a sealed container softens the surface and melts layer lines together, producing a glossy, almost moulded finish. The same trick works on standard PVB in clear, white or coloured.
Print settings
- Nozzle 200 to 220 C (like PLA)
- Bed 60 to 75 C, PEI or gluestick
- No enclosure needed
- Layer fan 100 percent like PLA
- Standard hotend, brass or hardened nozzle
IPA smoothing
- Build a vapour chamber from a sealed plastic container with IPA-soaked paper towel inside
- Suspend the print so it does not touch the IPA
- Leave 30 to 90 minutes; check progress
- Let the part fully cure for 24 hours before handling
- Use 90 percent IPA or higher
When to use PVB
Decorative vases, light covers, transparent prototypes, lithophanes that need clarity, anything where the FDM layer-line look is a problem. Not for functional or load-bearing parts (PVB is similar to PLA in strength).