Application of Poly(lactic Acid) Composites in the Automotive Sector: A Critical Review

• Published in: Polymers 2024-10, Vol.16 (21), p.3059
• Main Authors: Giammaria, Valentina, Capretti, Monica, Del Bianco, Giulia, Boria, Simonetta, Santulli, Carlo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D printing; ABS resins; Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; Additive manufacturing; Automobile industry; Automotive parts; Bending stresses; Biopolymers; Carbon fibers; Durability; Impact strength; Industrial applications; Industrial development; Lactic acid; Mechanical properties; Plant layout; Polylactic acid; Polymer industry; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Polyolefins; Prototyping; Raw materials; Review; Tensile strength; Thermoplastics; Three dimensional composites
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym16213059

The introduction of bio-based matrices in automotive applications would, in principle, increase their sustainability and, in case the use of secondary raw materials is also involved, even result in reduced resource depletion. The bio-based polymer composite matrix that has been mainly brought forward towards industrial application is poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which has often been proposed as the replacement for matrices based on polyolefins in fields such as packaging and short-term commodities since, in general, it matches the needs for conventional thermoplastic production processes. The passage to the automotive sector is not obvious, though: problems affecting durability, the relation with water and the environment, together with the requirement for outstanding mechanical and impact performance appear very stringent. On the other hand, PLA has obtained durable success in additive manufacturing as a competitor for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Also, the perspective for 3D and 4D printing does not appear to be confined to bare prototyping. These contrasting pieces of evidence indicate the necessity to provide more insight into the possible development of PLA use in the automotive industry, also considering the pressure for the combined use of more sustainable reinforcement types in automotive composites, such as natural fibers.