Prusament PVB Smoky Black Transparent 500g (NFC)

Product Description

Prusament PVB Smoky Black Transparent 500g (NFC) is a high-quality PVB filament developed and manufactured in-house by Prusa Research. The material is intended primarily for visually attractive models, where its semi-transparent smoky black appearance and the possibility of easy chemical smoothing in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) stand out.

PVB (polyvinyl butyral) is ideal for design elements such as vases, lamp shades, decorations, jewelry, movie and cosplay props, or various transparent covers. Thanks to its low warping and behavior similar to PLA, it is easy to print even on commonly available FDM 3D printers.

The newer series of Prusament is wound on redesigned plastic spools with an NFC chip (OpenPrintTag). The NFC tag allows compatible printers or applications to automatically recognize the material type, color, and recommended parameters, which facilitates print preparation and reduces the risk of incorrect settings.

Key Features

• Design PVB filament for visual and aesthetic models
• Smoky Black Transparent color – elegant "glass" effect after smoothing
• Chemical smoothing in IPA for a nearly glassy surface
• Easy to print, printing behavior similar to PLA
• Low warping – suitable even for larger models
• Good bed adhesion and smooth print surface
• Mechanical properties similar to CPE/PETG (better than PLA)
• Filament diameter 1.75 mm with a tolerance of ±0.03 mm – very consistent quality
• Wound on a spool with NFC (OpenPrintTag) – fast material identification
• Manufactured in-house by Prusa Research / Prusa Polymers a.s. in the Czech Republic

Recommended Use

Prusament PVB Smoky Black is intended mainly for representative and visually interesting printed parts, for example:

• design vases and decorative containers (ideally in "spiral vase" mode)
• lamp shades, light objects and translucent covers
• jewelry, fashion and interior accessories
• movie and cosplay props, helmets, masks and decorative parts
• presentation architectural models and prototypes

Thanks to the transparent nature of the material and the possibility of smoothing in IPA, a glass or plexiglass effect can be achieved, especially when using a larger nozzle and thicker walls of the model.

Print Settings (approximate)

Typical recommended settings for PVB from Prusa Research:

• Nozzle temperature: approx. 215 °C ± 10 °C
• Bed temperature: approx. 75 °C
• Recommended print sheet: smooth PEI or satin steel sheet
• Print speed: similar to PLA (adjust to printer capabilities and print quality)

Always ensure a clean bed surface (isopropyl alcohol, printer manufacturer's recommendation) before printing for optimal adhesion.

Chemical Smoothing (IPA)

One of the main advantages of PVB is the possibility of easy chemical smoothing in isopropyl alcohol (IPA):

• the model can, for example, be exposed to IPA vapors or briefly rinsed in IPA (depending on the chosen method)
• after smoothing, the surface acquires a glossy, smooth to "glassy" appearance
• the combination of smoothing and transparency creates very effective lighting and decorative objects

When smoothing, always follow safety principles: good ventilation, protective equipment, and work away from open flame sources (IPA is highly flammable).

Material Limitations and Recommendations

• Lower heat resistance – similar to PLA (approx. up to 60 °C). Unsuitable for components exposed to higher temperatures (e.g., in a car in direct sunlight).
• Hygroscopic material – PVB easily absorbs moisture, we recommend storing in closed boxes with silica gel and drying in a filament dryer after dampening.
• Slightly worse layer adhesion than PLA – for mechanically stressed prints, lower tensile strength in the direction of the layers must be expected.

Therefore, PVB is recommended primarily for visual / aesthetic parts, not as a structural material for demanding operations.

Technical Specifications

Tips for Successful Printing

• For the most transparent walls possible, use a larger nozzle (0.6–0.8 mm) and spiral vase mode.
• For taller models with thin walls, consider a lower print speed so that the surface is as smooth as possible right from the printer.
• In case of problems with bed adhesion, check the cleanliness of the sheet and possibly lower the first layer closer to the bed.
• In case of damp filament (cracking, bubbles, matte surface), dry the filament according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

This filament is a great choice for everyone who wants to take their decorative and effect 3D prints to the next level and take advantage of PVB and IPA chemical smoothing along with the quality assurance of the Prusament brand.

Key Features:

• Premium Prusament PVB filament manufactured in-house in the Czech Republic with a guaranteed tolerance of ±0.03 mm.
• Smoky Black, semi-transparent color for elegant design models.
• Possibility of chemical smoothing in IPA for a glassy, high-gloss surface.
• Easy printing with behavior similar to PLA and very low warping – suitable even for larger models.
• Good bed adhesion and mechanical properties comparable to CPE/PETG.
• Wound on a modern plastic spool with an NFC chip (OpenPrintTag) for easy material identification.
• Ideal for vases, lampshades, decorations, jewelry, and visual prototypes.