TissueDB/Materials/Polyvinyl Alcohol

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer. In this database it appears in one form.

As a dissolvable support filament it is supplied for fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing. In dual-extruder prints the printer deposits PVA support struts alongside the primary build filament (commonly PLA or TPE), and the finished part is then submerged in water to dissolve the PVA away. Support filament is valuable for internal cavities, overhangs, and complex articulations that cannot be printed in a single pass, and it is consumed during post-processing rather than remaining in the finished part.^[1]

The gel form. Polyvinyl alcohol is also sold as a cryogel or hydrogel. No simulator in this database is built with that form, so it is not described here.

A note on the name. The initials PVA are also used for polyvinyl acetate, the white wood and craft glue sometimes called vinylic glue. That is a different polymer from polyvinyl alcohol and is not the material described on this page.

Used In Simulators

Simulator	Purpose	Notes
Brannan Chest Tube Simulator	Dissolvable support filament for dual-extruder FDM prints (ribs, joints, stand)	Consumable. Dissolved out of the final simulator geometry before use.^[1]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Brannan V, Dunne CL, Dubrowski A, Parsons MH (2021). "Development of a novel 3D-printed multifunctional thorax model simulator for the simulation-based training of tube thoracostomy." CJEM 23:547–550. DOI: 10.1007/s43678-021-00102-1. PMID: 33783760.

At a Glance

Synonyms

Also known as: Polyvinyl Alcohol Cryogel, Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Tubing, PVA Hydrogel Tubing

Page data
Keywords	PVA, polyvinyl alcohol, PVA cryogel, PVA hydrogel, freeze-thaw gel, tissue-mimicking phantom, ultrasound phantom, elastography, dissolvable support, water-soluble filament, 3D printing support, FDM support material, surgical simulation, TissueDB
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Authors	Arturopelayo
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Language	English (en)
Translations	Chinese
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Created	April 18, 2026 by Arturo Pelayo
Last edit	August 3, 2026 by Arturo Pelayo
Cite as	Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Materials/Polyvinyl Alcohol". Appropedia. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
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[brannan2021-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Brannan V, Dunne CL, Dubrowski A, Parsons MH (2021). "Development of a novel 3D-printed multifunctional thorax model simulator for the simulation-based training of tube thoracostomy." CJEM 23:547–550. DOI: 10.1007/s43678-021-00102-1. PMID: 33783760.

[1]