A method and system for comparing multiple polymeric materials for 3d printing

A method for comparing mechanical properties of multiple distinct polymeric materials suitable for 3D printing, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) using a first polymeric material out of a group of multiple distinct polymeric materials to form an object using a 3D printing process, the object comprising a 2D area of macroscopic size;
• b) printing the 2D area by layering the first polymeric material in a horizontal direction (X/Y-direction), a next layer being printed on top of a previous layer, therewith extending the object in a vertical direction (Z-direction) while being printed, wherein the 2D area is free standing in the air;
• c) after completion of the object, cutting a test item out of the 2D area, the test item being subjected to a process for establishing at least one mechanical property of this test item;
• d) repeating the steps a, b and c for each of the other polymeric materials of the group of multiple distinct polymeric materials thereby forming a set of multiple distinct objects each of which objects corresponds to one of the said multiple distinct polymeric materials, wherein each of the 2D areas of each of the objects is printed using the same printing process and each of the 2D areas is printed in an equal period of time and having the same form;
• and
• e) compiling a list with each of the at least one mechanical property of each of the multiple distinct polymeric materials.