Abstract: Systems and methods for infiltrating a fibrous preform in the in-plane direction and forming composite components are provided. A system for infiltrating a fibrous preform may include a slurry reservoir defining a cavity configured to receive a fibrous preform. The cavity may be configured such that an internal surface of the slurry reservoir is spaced apart from an outer diameter of the fibrous preform. A slurry inlet may be formed in the slurry reservoir. The slurry inlet and the cavity may be configured such that a slurry input into the cavity infiltrates the fibrous preform in an in-plane direction.