Tooling for use during heat treatment to support a preform made of powder

Tooling for supporting a preform of a three-dimensional part during heat treatment, the preform being obtained by shaping a metal or ceramic powder, the preform presenting at least one bearing surface on which it can rest and at least one suspended surface that is suspended relative to the bearing surface, the tooling comprising:

• a tray;
• a plurality of blocks arranged on the tray, all blocks of the plurality of blocks having at least one surface for supporting the preform, all blocks of the plurality of blocks being suitable for moving relative to one another by sliding on the tray between a first position in which all blocks of the plurality of blocks are spaced apart from one another and together define a first volume, and a second position in which all blocks of the plurality of blocks together define a second volume that is smaller than the first volume;
• and
• a drive element, said drive element connecting together at least some blocks of the plurality of blocks and comprising a secondary metal or ceramic powder mixed with an organic binder and suitable for shrinking under the effect of temperature so as to drive said at least some blocks of the plurality of blocks to which said drive element is connected in one or more directions corresponding to one or more shrinkage directions of said drive element.