A shaped composite material for braking applications can be produced by a method comprising the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising bundles of filaments constituted substantially by carbon and having lengths no greater than 30 mm and an organic binder in a mould of the said shape and, at the same time, incorporating in the mixture a plurality of reinforcing fibres which extend along the shape in a manner such as to prevent the propagation of cracks, b) forming the mixture comprising the reinforcing fibres to produce a semi-finished product, c) subjecting the semi-finished product to a first firing at a temperature such as substantially to bring about pyrolysis of the organic binder and to a second firing in the presence of silicon.