Composite products and methods of producing same

A composite shim comprising:

• a single part construction including a fiber-reinforced base material, the fiber-reinforced base material including a fibrous component and a thermoplastic component wherein the base material is formed into a shim-shaped body that has at least two rows of cored regions including one or more cored regions not exceeding three in number extending in a widthwise direction in each row along a first side of the shim-shaped body and through a portion of the shim-shaped body, wherein at least one of the rows includes three cored regions, wherein the rows of cored regions are positioned along the shim up to about two thirds of a length of the first side, wherein the shim-shaped body includes a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side and second side converge to a tapered edge along a converging distance between the first and second sides, wherein the cored regions extend a distance between the first and second sides that is less than the converging distance, wherein the cored regions are structured and positioned so as to enable the composite shim to be secured while minimizing an amount of force exerted to the shim, thereby halting propagation of splitting caused by securing the composite shim through piercing at least one of the cored regions of the shim, and wherein the second side has a smooth surface that extends along an entire length of the second side.