| abstract |
A piece of composite material is produced by forming a fibrous preform (20), forming holes (22) extending into the preform from at least one face thereof, and densifying the preform by a matrix formed at least partially by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). The holes (22) are formed by removal of the material therefrom with fracture of the fibers, for example by pressurized water jet machining, the arrangement of the fibers in the preform having holes being substantially unmodified with respect to to the initial arrangement before forming the holes. The CVI densification gradient is thus very small. |