PC vs PVA
How PC and PVA compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PC typically prints about 85 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PC typically prints about 55 °C hotter on the bed.
- PC is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 8 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 47 PC filaments in 131 colours, and 22 PVA filaments in 24 colours.
| PC | PVA | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polycarbonate | Polyvinyl alcohol |
| Filaments listed | 47 | 22 |
| Brands | 27 | 15 |
| Colours | 131 | 24 |
| Nozzle temperature | 260–300 °C | 180–210 °C |
| Bed temperature | 100–120 °C | 50–60 °C |
| Density | 1.20 g/cm³ | 1.23 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 346 m | about 338 m |
| Max drying temperature | 75 °C | 55 °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
9 brands make both PC and PVA.