Poly(L-lactic acid) filaments were prepared by high speed melt spinning at take-up velocities up to 5000 m/min. The crystallinity, birefringence, tensile strength, Young＇s modulus and yield strength all exhibit maxima at take-up velocities between 2000 and 3000 m/min. The boiling water shrinkage exhibits a minimum in this range. The maximum tensile strength of the as-spun filaments was 385 MPa and the maximum modulus was 6 GPa.