A process is provided for thermal molding an article with at least one layer of thermoplastic fibers that are non-woven and uni-directionally oriented in combination with at least one layer of reinforcing fibers. The reinforcing fibers including glass, carbon, nature based, and combinations thereof; alone or mixed with chopped thermoplastic fibers. Upon subjecting the layers to sufficient heat to thermally bond in the presence of non-oriented filler fibers, thermoplastic fiber fusion encapsulates the filler fibers. The filler fibers impart physical properties to the resulting article and the residual unidirectional orientation of the thermoplastic melt imparts physical properties in the fiber direction to the article. By combining layers with varying orientations of uni-directional fibers relative to one another, the physical properties of the resulting article may be controlled and extended relative to conventional thermoplastic moldings. The uni-directional fibers may have discontinuities along the length of individual fibers.

A prepreg laminate is described that is a fiber-reinforced plastic material having high rigidity, lightweight properties and excellent moldability, where the prepreg laminate is obtained by a prepreg (A), in which non-continuous reinforcing fibers are impregnated with a thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin, and a prepreg (B), in which non-continuous reinforcing fibers are impregnated with a thermoplastic resin, being laminated adjacent to each other, and by the prepreg (A) being disposed on at least one surface, at least some combinations of the prepreg (A) and the prepreg (B) adjacent to each other forming an overlap region that satisfies at least one of the requirements (1) and (2) as defined.