-Fabrication of the repreg. The reinforcing fibrous material is immersed into the sol. The sol wicks into the porous structure of the reinforcing phase. Vacuum/pressure may be applied to assist the infiltration process.
-Lay-up. The prepreg is shaped by a tooling (mold).
-Gellation and drying. The sol is heated to 150°C (302°F). It is converted into gel, which is then dried at a temperature up to 400°C (752°F). Water, alcohol and organic volatile components are removed from the material.
-Repeated re-infiltration and gelation. The sol infiltration-gelation cycle is repeated several times until the desired densification is achieved.
-Firing. The ceramic matrix is consolidated (sintered) at the firing temperature.