The paper presents advantages and disadvantages of metal foils insertion between composite layers. Composites are complex materials of anisotropic structure leading to various failure mechanisms. Mechanism of compressive load transfer into composite laminates by shear of the matrix is analysed. The method of improvement compressive strength of laminates is presented according to literature and analysed for a selected case. Simplified models of a laminate structure modified using various metal foils configurations are analysed with MSC.Marc code. Axial stress in prepreg layers and shear stress in adhesive layers are studied.