Process of making shaped members length made from carbon-carbon composite materials

A process for the continuous manufacture of shaped members of small cross-section and long length made from carbon-carbon composite materials comprising the steps of:

• impregnating carbon threads in molten pitch to form a soft shaped member before shaping by a short die;
• subjecting the so-impregnated thread to a thermal treatment to form a rigid shaped member by progressive heating while continuously passing through a tunnel furnace, in a controlled atmosphere, and while being supported between first and second support points located outside the tunnel furnace so that displacement of said thread inside the tunnel furnace is effected without contact within said tunnel furnace and without the use of tools within the tunnel furnace, an advance of the soft shaped member in the tunnel furnace being effected by traction of the rigid shaped member on the second support point located at an outlet of the tunnel furnace, wherein the first support point is said short die;
• and
• cutting the rigid shaped member upon leaving the tunnel furnace to produce shaped member elements of a required length.