Through thickness reinforcement

A method for making a ceramic matrix composite component, the method comprising:

• densifying a fibrous preform of the component with a ceramic matrix to form an intermediate component;
• infiltrating a hole in the intermediate component with an infiltrate material comprising a molten silicon-based metallic alloy and a solid whose reaction forms a carbide, silicide, boride or combination thereof, wherein the hole extends in a through-thickness direction and is open to an outer surface of the intermediate component;
• heating the infiltrate material to a temperature in excess of a melting point of the silicon-based metallic alloy to remelt the silicon-based metallic alloy;
• and
• sequentially cooling regions of the hole starting from an interior end of the hole to the outer surface of the intermediate component to form a solidified through-thickness reinforcement element, wherein sequential cooling follows heating the infiltrate material;
• wherein residual unreacted silicon remains in the hole following infiltrating a hole in the intermediate component with the infiltrate material, and wherein the unreacted residual silicon is melted when the infiltrate material is heated and moves outward through the hole toward the outer surface during sequential cooling.