Abstract: A fiber preform constituting fiber reinforcement of a composite material part that is to be fabricated is made by superposing and bonding together fiber plies, and by densifying the needled preform by introducing a material constituting the matrix of the composite material into it. During the process of making the preform, a powder is dusted onto the surface of at least some of the plies, the powder comprising at least one ingredient selected from a solid resin in powder form and solid fillers in powder form. The powder is dusted onto the surface of the top ply of the preform that is being made, prior to superposing and needling at least one additional ply.

Abstract: A method manufacturing a one-piece bowl of thermostructural composite material comprising fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix. The method comprises supplying deformable fiber plies that are whole, being free from slots or cutouts, superposing said plies on a former of shape corresponding to the bowl to be made, deforming the plies, and bonding the superposed plies to one another by means of fibers extending transversely relative to the plies, e.g. by needling so as to obtain a bowl preform which is then densified. The bowl (1) can be used as a support for a crucible (5) in an installation for producing monocrystalline silicon.

Abstract: After yarns or tows (10) have been pre-spread and placed side by side substantially in a common plane, their surface is swept by at least one jet of air (22) displaced transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the yarns or tows so as to obtain a substantially unidirectional sheet (20) that is uniform.

Abstract: A one-piece bowl of thermostructural composite material comprising fiber reinforcement densified by a matrix. The bowl is made by supplying deformable fiber in plies that are whole, being free from slots or cutouts, superposing said plies on a former of shape corresponding to the bowl to be made, deforming the plies, and bonding the superposed plies to one another by means of fibers extending transversely relative to the plies, e.g. by needling so as to obtain a bowl preform which is then densified. The bowl can be used as a support for a crucible in an installation for producing monocrystalline silicon.

Abstract: After yarns or tows (10) have been pre-spread and placed side by side substantially in a common plane, their surface is swept by at least one jet of air (22) displaced transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the yarns or tows so as to obtain a substantially unidirectional sheet (20) that is uniform.

Abstract: A fiber preform constituting fiber reinforcement of a composite material part that is to be fabricated is made by superposing and bonding together fiber plies, and by densifying the needled preform by introducing a material constituting the matrix of the composite material into it. During the process of making the preform, a powder is dusted onto the surface of at least some of the plies, the powder comprising at least one ingredient selected from a solid resin in powder form and solid fillers in powder form. The powder is dusted onto the surface of the top ply of the preform that is being made, prior to superposing and needling at least one additional ply.

Abstract: To make an annular fiber structure, a strip-shaped fabric (50), is used which is made up of two superposed unidirectional sheets, with the directions of the sheets forming opposite angles relative to the longitudinal direction of the strip, the two sheets being bonded together so as to form deformable elementary meshes, the fabric being wound while being deformed so as to transform it into a flat helix, the elementary meshes deforming in such a manner that variation in mass per unit area between the inside and outside diameters of the turns remains small, and the flat turns are pressed against one another.