Technical Specifications
Base Polymer
Polyvinyl butyral (PVB)
Tensile Strength
~38–45 MPa (manufacturer-dependent)
Heat Deflection
~50–55 °C (HDT/A)
UV Resistance
Not UV-stabilized
Typical Applications
- High-quality presentation models without visible layer lines
- Trade show exhibits and showroom prototypes
- Design studies for customer presentations
- Models for photography and rendering
- Decorative objects with a high-gloss surface
Material Profile
PVB (polyvinyl butyral) is a special case among FFF materials: its unique advantage isn’t mechanical performance but IPA smoothability. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) slightly dissolves PVB’s surface – with controlled application, layer lines disappear within seconds.
The Smoothing Process
The finished PVB part is briefly treated with IPA vapor or mist:
- Layer lines are leveled out by the slight dissolving action
- The surface re-solidifies as the IPA evaporates
- Result: a smooth, nearly injection-molded-like surface
Application Range
PVB is exclusively for design presentations and design models – anywhere appearance matters and mechanical or thermal requirements are irrelevant.
Datasheet
Technical datasheet (Polymaker PolySmooth PVB): polymaker.com/downloads