A method is provided for producing a fiber-reinforced material which is composed,
at least in a region of a surface layer, of a ceramic composite and has carbon-containing
fibers reaction-bonded to a matrix containing the elements Si and C. In particular
a method of producing fiber-reinforced silicon carbide is provided in which a structure
of a matrix contains cracks and/or pores, at least at ambient temperature, because
of a high thermal expansion coefficient compared with that of the fibers. Metals
are selectively electrodeposited in the open pores and cracks of the matrix and,
in particular, in a region of the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. As
a result, the open pores and cracks are filled and, in addition, metallic top layers
are optionally formed that are firmly keyed to the ceramic composite and that may
serve as an interlayer for glass top layers or ceramic top layers. A fiber-reinforced
composite material, as well as moldings, in particular brake discs, brake linings
or clutch plates, composed of such a composite material, are also provided.
