Conventional composite laminates draw their strength from high-modulus fibers placed in a single direction within each of many individual plies comprising a multilayer laminate. The plies are arranged in various directions in the plane of the laminate to tailor the stiffness of the finished part. However, the material is designed so that fibers from different layers do not communicate — or cross each others’ plane. This situation leads to relatively low tensile strength normal to the plane of the plies. In practice, this construction geometry means that the laminate is susceptible to damage in impact, where plies tend to come unbonded. After impact, the overall laminate strength, particularly the in-plane compressional strength, can be seriously impaired.