Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing metal matrix composite materials, including at least one proportion of magnesium or one magnesium alloy and involving at least one production step in which a thixomolding ensues. According to the invention, an Mg2Si phase having a volume fraction of at least 2% is incorporated in a metal matrix preferably comprised of magnesium or of a magnesium alloy. The inventive method uses the thixomolding method for the in-situ production of a metallic composite material and is advantageous in that a broad range of adjustable volume fractions of the Mg2Si phase in the composite material results whereby enabling the properties of the composite material to be individually modified. The inventive metal matrix composite material is particularly suited for producing thermally stressed parts of motor vehicles such as pistons or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for at least locally increasing the stability and/or load carrying ability of work pieces (10), whereby first of all a first work piece (11) is produced by means of a conventional manufacturing method. The inventive method is characterized by the following steps: a) the first work piece (11) is then provided with a hole (13) in the area where stability and/or load carrying ability are to be increased; b) a second work piece (12) which consists of a stability-and/or load carrying ability-increasing material is introduced into the hole (13); c) in this state, the second work piece (12) is rubbed relative to the first work piece (11) according to the friction welding method until the welding temperature is reached which lies below the melting temperature of the two work pieces (11, 12), thereby obtaining a friction-welded connection between the first work piece (11) and the second work piece (12) and producing the work piece (10).