Multidirectional fiber-reinforced tape/film articles and the method of making the same

A process for forming a layer comprising a plurality of polymeric tapes, the method comprising:

• a) providing a plurality of polymeric tapes, each polymeric tape comprising a flattened multi-filament yarn, each of said yarns comprising a plurality of continuous polymeric filaments;
• b) arranging said plurality of polymeric tapes into a side-by-side planar array such that only their edges are in contact with each other;
• c) optionally applying a polymeric binder material onto said array of tapes;
• and
• d) applying heat and/or pressure to said array of tapes under conditions sufficient to consolidate said array of tapes into a substantially planar, unitary layer.