3DXTech AquaTek PVA Water-Soluble PVA Support — Dissolves in Room-Temp Tap Water
Water-Soluble PVA Support — Dissolves in Room-Temp Tap Water
AquaTek™ PVA is a water-soluble support filament built on a new generation of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) from Kuraray’s Mowiflex™ 3D 2000 resin. Print complex geometries with a dual-extrusion machine, then dissolve the support away in room-temperature tap water — no heated bath, agitation, or harsh chemicals required. Compounded in 3DXTech’s 68,000 sq-ft Grand Rapids, Michigan facility. Full specifications →
Availability and lead time vary by reel size and diameter — contact Rev1 to confirm before ordering. Questions on dual-extrusion pairing or print settings? Call (248) 707-2950.
USA-made water-soluble support, with a published datasheet behind it.
3DXTech compounds AquaTek™ PVA in Grand Rapids, Michigan using Kuraray’s Mowiflex™ 3D 2000 PVA resin, with a published Technical Data Sheet (Rev 3.0) — no mystery support filament. Rev1 Technologies is your authorized 3DXTech reseller and US support partner, Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Print the impossible geometry — then rinse the support away.
Some parts can’t be printed without support under overhangs, inside channels, or beneath captive features — and breakaway support can’t always reach them without scarring the surface. AquaTek™ PVA solves that. It is a water-soluble support material printed from a second extruder alongside your model; when the print finishes, you drop the part in room-temperature tap water and the support simply dissolves, leaving clean surfaces and freeing geometry a knife could never reach. It is based on a new generation of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol, PVOH) from Kuraray’s Mowiflex™ 3D 2000 resin, and it dissolves faster in plain tap water than many traditional PVA supports.
A cleaner way to remove support — water, not a chisel.
AquaTek PVA is engineered for hands-off support removal. Because it dissolves rather than breaks away, it reaches geometry mechanical support can’t, and it leaves the model surface untouched.
Readily soluble in plain tap water (per the AquaTek X1 SDS) — no heated ultrasonic bath or chemical additives needed to dissolve it.
The Kuraray Mowiflex 3D 2000 base dissolves faster in tap water than many older-generation PVA supports, shortening post-processing.
Dissolving support leaves model surfaces smooth — no gouges, stress marks, or broken interfaces from prying breakaway support off by hand.
Adheres well to PLA, Nylon, PVB, and TPU, so the support stays put during the print and supports steep overhangs and bridges reliably.
Not classified as hazardous under OSHA or EU CLP, and non-regulated for transport (per the SDS) — dissolved PVA rinses away with no special disposal.
Low material density (ISO 1183) — a spool of support goes a long way across many parts.
Easy to run — standard hardware, keep it dry.
3DXTech’s recommended starting conditions. AquaTek PVA prints on a standard hotend and bed with no special nozzle; because PVA is hygroscopic, drying before use is the single most important step for clean results.
Standard hotend range — well within any dual-extrusion machine that also runs PLA, PETG, or Nylon.
From room temperature up to 70°C — match it to the model material it is supporting for reliable first-layer grip.
No enclosed or heated chamber is needed to print AquaTek PVA support.
Unfilled and non-abrasive — a standard brass nozzle prints it with no special diameter or hardened-tip requirement.
No special layer-height requirements — match the support layer height to your model profile.
PVA absorbs ambient moisture; dry at 65°C for ~4 hours and store sealed with desiccant for the cleanest support and best solubility.
The parts you can’t print any other way.
Dissolvable support unlocks geometry that breakaway support can’t reach or would damage on removal. Anywhere you need support inside, underneath, or around captive features, AquaTek PVA rinses out and leaves the surface clean.
Pairs with PLA, Nylon, PVB, TPU — and many more.
AquaTek PVA is designed to adhere strongly to a wide range of model materials so the support bonds cleanly during the print, then releases completely in water. It is ideal for printing complex parts in PLA, PVB, Nylon, and TPU — and works with ABS, PETG, and many others on a dual-extrusion setup.
A go-to pairing — PVA bonds tightly to PLA and dissolves away cleanly, ideal for detailed and organic PLA prints.
Supports complex Nylon geometry where breakaway support would be difficult to remove without damage.
Adheres well to PVB, freeing smooth, polishable surfaces after a water rinse.
Bonds to flexible TPU so supports for elastic and bridging geometry stay in place during the print.
Works with ABS, PETG, and many other common filaments — confirm settings for your specific model material.
Ships in Natural — a support material only needs one color, and it dissolves away regardless of your model color.
Check the reel fits your printer.
Standard spool dimensions — confirm it fits your AMS or dry box.
AquaTek PVA ships on consistent, standard 3DXTech reels.
Before you buy, check the outer diameter, width, and center bore against your printer’s spool holder, dual-extruder feed path, or drybox — PVA prints best fed straight from a sealed dry box. Open the full 3DXTech reel infographic for the exact dimensions of the 500 g, 750 g, and 1 kg spools.
View reel dimensions →Water-soluble PVA vs. breakaway support — choosing a removal method.
Qualitative positioning among common support strategies. Water-soluble PVA and HIPS breakaway support solve different problems; pick by geometry, model material, and how clean the finished surface needs to be. Confirm exact figures against each material’s data sheet.
| 3DXTech AquaTek PVA | Generic PVA Support | HIPS (Breakaway) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removal method | Dissolves in water | Dissolves in water | Breakaway / limonene |
| Solvent | Room-temp tap water | Water (often warm) | Mechanical or d-limonene |
| Reaches internal cavities | Yes — fully dissolves | Yes | Limited (must reach it) |
| Surface after removal | Clean, scar-free | Clean | Can scar on removal |
| Model-material bond | PLA, Nylon, PVB, TPU + | Mainly PLA | Best with ABS |
| Dissolution speed | Faster (Mowiflex 3D 2000) | Slower / variable | N/A (mechanical) |
| Printer needs | Dual extrusion | Dual extrusion | Dual extrusion |
| Best for | Complex geometry, clean surfaces | Basic PLA supports | ABS parts, simple overhangs |
Qualitative comparison among common support strategies; confirm exact properties against each TDS. Prices and availability vary by reel size, diameter, and date.
3DXTech AquaTek PVA Technical Data
Published values from the AquaTek PVA Technical Data Sheet (Rev 3.0) and 3DXTech’s recommended print conditions. As a support material, AquaTek PVA is not a structural polymer — tensile and flexural properties are not applicable.
RESOURCES
Datasheets & Print Support
Everything you need to qualify and print AquaTek™ PVA support.
WHY REV1 TECH
Authorized 3DXTech Reseller. Engineering-Materials Specialists.
Rev1 Technologies is an authorized 3DXTech reseller in Auburn Hills, MI, supplying genuine USA-made filament with real print support.
We help you pick the right support strategy, dial in the dual-extrusion profile, and keep production running.
FAQ
3DXTech AquaTek PVA — Common Questions
What is AquaTek PVA used for?
It is a water-soluble support material for dual-extrusion 3D printing. You print it from a second extruder to support overhangs, internal channels, and captive features on your model, then dissolve it away in room-temperature water — leaving clean surfaces mechanical support can’t match.
How do I remove the support?
Submerge the finished part in room-temperature tap water. AquaTek PVA is readily soluble and dissolves without a heated bath, ultrasonic agitation, or solvents. Warmer water and gentle circulation speed things up, but plain tap water works.
Which model materials does it work with?
It adheres especially well to PLA, Nylon, PVB, and TPU, and is compatible with ABS, PETG, and many other common filaments. Any dual-extrusion setup where the model material prints in a temperature range compatible with 190–220°C support is a candidate.
Do I need a special printer?
You need a dual-extrusion (two-material) printer so the support and model print together. No heated chamber and no special nozzle are required — a standard brass nozzle and a hotend that reaches 190–220°C are enough.
Do I have to dry it before printing?
Yes — strongly recommended. PVA is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air, which degrades print quality and solubility. Dry at 65°C for about 4 hours and print from a sealed dry box with desiccant for the best results.
How is it different from breakaway support like HIPS?
Breakaway supports are pulled off by hand and can’t reach enclosed geometry or leave surfaces perfectly clean. AquaTek PVA dissolves completely in water, so it reaches internal cavities and comes away without scarring — ideal when surface finish and complex geometry matter.
What sizes and diameters are available?
AquaTek PVA comes in Natural, in 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm diameters, on 500 g, 750 g, and 1 kg reels. Not every diameter is offered in every reel size — the buy-box only enables the combinations 3DXTech actually stocks.
Is it made in the USA?
Yes — 3DXTech compounds AquaTek PVA in its 68,000 sq-ft facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, using Kuraray Mowiflex™ 3D 2000 PVA resin, under an ISO 9001 quality system with a published TDS.
How should I store it between prints?
Keep it dry. Because PVA is hygroscopic, store the spool sealed with fresh desiccant or in a dry box when it’s not on the printer. If it has absorbed moisture, re-dry at 65°C for about 4 hours before your next print — damp PVA prints poorly and dissolves inconsistently.