  We perform the numerical field evolution for the collision of two Abelian
type I cosmic strings. We present evidence that, for collisions at small but
characteristic relative velocities and angles, these cosmic strings do not
exchange ends and separate. Rather, local higher winding number bound states
are formed close to the collision point, which promote multiple local
scatterings at right angles and prevent intercommutation from happening. This
constitutes the simplest example of the breakdown of the intercommutation rule,
usually assumed in the construction of effective models for cosmic string
network evolution.
