Patent ID: 8431254

Claim:
A composite material element, the composite material element comprising a microfissured ceramic matrix forming a three-dimensional interconnected network of microfissures created by relaxation of thermal stresses and exposed on a surface of the matrix, the microfissured ceramic matrix consisting of at least one material chosen from among metal, metallic alloys, metallic oxides, carbides, nitrides, silicides and borides, a quantity of additive material consisting of at least one material chosen from among a glass, a ceramic flux, a metal and a metallic alloy, being dispersed in the matrix, the additive material being a material chosen to soften and migrate by capillarity in the network of microfissures to a surface of the element when the composite material element is brought to a predetermined temperature, the quantity of additive material dispersed in the matrix being in a sufficient proportion, compared to the matrix, to coat a surface of the composite material element left exposed so as to create there a gas-tight barrier.