Mechanical performance of polylactic based formulations

In the last decades poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has received a huge attention because of its notable properties, which make it a potential substitute for many commodity petroleum-based plastics for a number of technological applications. PLA, a linear aliphatic thermoplastic polyester, is mainly produced by ring-opening polymerization of D- and L-lactide, in turn both obtained from the fermentation of sugar feed stocks. The right weight ratio of the two enantiomers influences, among others, mechanical performances of PLA based formulations. Aim of this chapter is to critically analyze the main limitations of PLA in terms of mechanical properties which are currently limit their use in many relevant industrial sectors, presenting various possible approaches recently proposed to overcome these intrinsic drawbacks.