CPC B29C 70/48 (2013.01) [B29B 11/16 (2013.01); B29C 70/24 (2013.01); B29C 70/543 (2013.01); F01D 5/282 (2013.01); B29L 2031/082 (2013.01); F05D 2230/20 (2013.01)] | 10 Claims |
1. A process for shaping, by compaction, a fibrous structure obtained by three-dimensional or multilayer weaving between a plurality of layers of warp yarns and a plurality of layers of weft yarns, the yarns of each plurality of layers of warp yarns and layers of weft yarns being coated with a sizing composition,
wherein the shaping comprises a step of pre-compaction of the fibrous structure in a pre-compacting tool so as to reduce the thickness of the fibrous structure to an intermediate thickness comprised between the thickness of the fibrous structure after weaving and a determined final thickness, the pre-compaction step being followed by a final compaction step in a forming tool different from the pre-compacting tool so as to reduce the thickness of the fibrous structure to the determined final thickness, and wherein, during the pre-compaction and final compaction steps, the fibrous structure is at a temperature greater than or equal to the softening temperature of the sizing composition to allow fibers of the fibrous structure slide in relation to each other, wherein the process further comprises cooling a fibrous preform obtained after the step of final compaction of the fibrous structure, and
wherein during the pre-compaction step and when the fibrous structure is at a temperature greater than or equal to the softening temperature of the sizing composition, the fibrous structure is deformed in the pre—compacting tool such that the fibers of the fibrous structure slide in relation to each other without altering a weaving pattern of the fibrous structure.
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