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The toughness or impact resistance of thermoset resin laminates can be enhanced by the addition of low cost thermoplastic polyester fibers. A continuous thermoplastic polyester fiber mat manufactured by Hoechst Celanese Corp., trade name Trevira, has been successfully utilized to enhance the toughness and reduce the density of marine laminates. This thermoplastic polyester fiber mat has been used in both E-glass and carbon fiber laminates, with and without cores. The laminates are primarily hand lay-up in open molds, some with vacuum bagging. The polyester mat has elastic modulus and strength values similar to the resin, however the strain to failure of the fibers is about 30 percent. These tough fibers inhibit crack formation and growth in the laminate, and allow higher inter-ply shear strains when interleaved between plies of high modulus reinforcing fibers.