The disclosure describes in some examples a technique that includes aligning a plurality of carbon preform segments in a staggered arrangement, where each carbon preform segment of the plurality carbon preform segment includes a carbon body including at least one of a plurality of carbon fibers or a carbon foam, and a silicon-based mixture including silicon particles. The techniques may include heating the staggered arrangement to react the silicon particles with the carbon body to bond the plurality of carbon preform segments together and form a ceramic matrix composite component.