Process for joining elements in the manufacture of thermostructural composite material parts

A process for the manufacture of thermostructural composite material parts having a fibrous reinforcement substrate densified by a matrix, said process comprising:

• forming at least two structural elements from an arrangement of reinforcing fibers;
• forming at least a lodging in at least one of the structural elements;
• forming a connecting element for joining the two structural elements from an undensified arrangement of reinforcing fibers;
• compacting the connecting element to a size and shape suitable to be introduced into the lodging in the structural element to form an undensified compacted connecting element;
• engaging the undensified compacted connecting element in the lodging in the structural element to form an uninterrupted connecting element/lodging interface suitable for co-infiltration of a matrix material;
• eliminating the compaction of the connecting element to allow the arrangement of reinforcing fibers forming the connecting element to expand and provide mutual contact between fibers of the connecting element and fibers in the lodging along substantially the entire connecting element/lodging interface to lock the connecting element in the lodging forming an assemblage prior to co-densification, said assemblage including the structural elements and the connecting element;
• and
• co-densifying said assemblage including the structural elements and the connecting element with said matrix material to effect co-infiltration of said matrix material along substantially said entire connecting element/lodging interface.