BVOH: density, print temperature and when to use it as a support material
BVOH (butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymer) is the second common water-soluble support material alongside PVA, printed on a second extruder in multi-material printing. The main difference from PVA: BVOH absorbs less moisture from the air and dissolves in cold water noticeably faster, which simplifies storage and post-processing, but the material costs more and is less commonly available from manufacturers.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈1.20 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle temperature | 195–215°C |
| Bed temperature | 45–60°C |
| Part cooling | moderate |
| Shrinkage | minimal |
| Enclosure required | no |
When to use it
- Supports for PLA and PETG models with complex internal geometry where dissolution speed matters — BVOH clears in cold water in tens of minutes rather than hours.
- Production settings where the support spool often stays loaded in the printer between jobs and can't be kept in an airtight bag — BVOH retains its printing properties in open air longer than PVA.
- Multi-material printing with PETG, to which PVA adheres poorly due to the temperature difference.
When to pick something else
- Budget is limited and storage conditions allow keeping the spool in a sealed bag with desiccant — PVA is cheaper and works just as well for PLA models.
- The support is needed for ABS — neither BVOH nor PVA is well suited by temperature; for ABS use HIPS, dissolved in limonene.
- Printing without a second extruder/AMS — soluble supports only make sense in multi-material printing; otherwise use ordinary breakaway supports from the main material.
Pros and cons
Pros: less hygroscopic and more stable in open air than PVA, dissolves faster and across a wider water temperature range, better temperature compatibility with PETG.
Cons: noticeably more expensive than PVA, fewer manufacturers and less warehouse availability, still needs careful storage during long idle periods.
Calculate your price in a minute
Free calculator: part weight, print time, material price — no sign-up needed.
App Store
Google Play
RuStoreHow it affects your print cost
Like PVA, BVOH is an auxiliary material: your cost calculation needs to account for the consumption of both materials (main plus support) and post-processing time. BVOH's higher price per kilogram is partly offset by shorter dissolution time and fewer spools ruined by moisture uptake — worth comparing both cost lines against your print volume before defaulting to PVA or BVOH.