Preliminary Material Combinations (PMCs) 299 3.3.Commingling/Bundling and Microbraiding As long as the thermoplastic matrix can be spun into fiber form,it is possible to combine the thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers by commingling(Figure 8.7).Wetting of the fiber in this case is deferred un- til the composite is consolidated.This approach leads to flexible pre- forms since the independence of the structural elements is maintained until the preform is consolidated.Because the matrix filament has not wetted out the reinforcing fiber until consolidation,more effort is re- quired to complete consolidation compared to preconsolidated prepreg. Another way of bundling the matrix filament together with the rein- forcing fibers is to microbraid the matrix filaments with the reinforcing (Figure 8.8). 3.4.Fabric/Film Sandwich Film stacking with dry fiber or commingled slit film and dry fiber are examples of combining processes where wetting is deferred until consol- Nylon Wrapping Nylon Wrapping Nylon outside Wrapping 6K 6K Commingled Commingled Bundle Bundle reinforcing thermoplastic fibre fibre (b) FIGURE 8.7 Commingling matrix filaments with reinforcing fibers.3.3. Commingling/Bundling and Microbraiding As long as the thermoplastic matrix can be spun into fiber form, it is possible to combine the thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers by commingling (Figure 8.7). Wetting of the fiber in this case is deferred un￾til the composite is consolidated. This approach leads to flexible pre￾forms since the independence of the structural elements is maintained until the preform is consolidated. Because the matrix filament has not wetted out the reinforcing fiber until consolidation, more effort is re￾quired to complete consolidation compared to preconsolidated prepreg. Another way of bundling the matrix filament together with the rein￾forcing fibers is to microbraid the matrix filaments with the reinforcing (Figure 8.8). 3.4. Fabric/Film Sandwich Film stacking with dry fiber or commingled slit film and dry fiber are examples of combining processes where wetting is deferred until consol￾FIGURE 8.7 Commingling matrix filaments with reinforcing fibers. Preliminary Material Combinations (PMCs) 299