Polymer articles and process for fabrication thereof

The present invention provides a polymeric article formed from oriented polymeric strands (52) made using a hot compaction process and in which layers of said strands are lain one-on-top of the other and the bond therebetween is improved by the inclusion of a plurality of particles spread across the confronting surfaces prior to bonding. The particles have a higher melting point than the oriented polymeric strands. The particles may be embedded in a polymer layer (54) prior to insertion between said surfaces.