To improve the mechanical properties of 3D printed polymer-based materials without compromising printability or processing efficiency, several strategies can be employed:1. Material selection: Choose high-performance polymers with better mechanical properties, such as polyether ether ketone PEEK , polyphenylene sulfide PPS , or polyamide PA . These materials have higher strength,tiffness, and thermal stability compared to conventional 3D printing materials like PLA or ABS.2. Material modification: Modify the polymer material by adding fillers, reinforcements, or blending with other polymers. For example, adding carbon fibers, glass fibers, or nanoparticles can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the printed parts. Blending polymers can also improve properties by combining the advantages of each material.3. Printing parameters optimization: Optimize the printing parameters, such as layer thickness, printing speed, and temperature, to achieve better mechanical properties. For example, reducing the layer thickness can improve the interlayer bonding, resulting in stronger parts. Adjusting the printing temperature can also enhance the material flow and bonding between layers.4. Printing orientation: The orientation of the printed part can significantly affect its mechanical properties. Printing parts in the direction of the applied load can improve the strength and stiffness of the part. This can be achieved by adjusting the part orientation in the slicing software before printing.5. Post-processing: Post-processing techniques, such as annealing, can improve the mechanical properties of 3D printed parts. Annealing can reduce residual stresses, increase crystallinity, and improve the interlayer bonding of the printed parts.6. Infill pattern and density: Adjusting the infill pattern and density can significantly affect the mechanical properties of the printed parts. Using a higher infill density and more robust infill patterns, such as honeycomb or gyroid, can improve the strength and stiffness of the parts.7. Multi-material printing: Using multi-material printing techniques, such as fused deposition modeling FDM with multiple extruders or material jetting, can enable the combination of materials with different properties within a single part. This can result in parts with improved mechanical properties, tailored to specific applications.8. Continuous fiber reinforcement: Incorporating continuous fibers, such as carbon or glass fibers, into the printed parts can significantly enhance their mechanical properties. This can be achieved using specialized 3D printers capable of impregnating fibers within the printed material during the printing process.By employing these strategies, the mechanical properties of 3D printed polymer-based materials can be improved to meet or exceed those of conventionally manufactured parts, without compromising printability or processing efficiency.