Societe Europeenne De Propulsion

Jean-Luc Laquet

Jean-Claude Cavalier

Jean-Philippe Rocher

In a process according to the invention, before a carbon/fiber ceramic matrix is densified, the carbon fiber reinforcement material is subjected to a thermal treatment in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature greater than 1300.degree. C. and less than 2200.degree. C., to act on the bonding between the fibers and the matrix. If a preform of the carbon fiber reinforcement material is formed prior to densification by a matrix, then the thermal treatment may be performed on the preform, prior to densification by the matrix. If the matrix is densified by chemical vapor infiltration inside a furnace, then the thermal treatment may be performed inside the infiltration furnace prior to the densification. The thermal treatment achieves a significant improvement in the strength of the resulting composite material.

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Bordeaux, France

Jean-Luc Laquet