Abstract: In the permeable structure, which is built up of sheets, continuous channels are arranged in rows and between the rows of channels are formed flow spaces which at opposite sides are bounded bit cover plates. In the flow spaces (4) at least two successive transverse bridges (6) are arranged on the same level, the transverse bridges (6) in at least half of the sheets having a different length (B) and the channels (1) extending essentially perpendicular to the flow spaces (4).

Abstract: In the finned-tube heat exchanger of silicon-infiltrated silicon carbide, in which the tubes of a tube bundle, with the cooling medium flowing around the tubes, are arranged mutually parallel in a housing provided with an inlet and outlet for the cooling medium, the tubes of the tube bundle are joined to one another by fins. The fins have apertures and are arranged transversely to the tube bundle.

Abstract: For a piston consisting of an Al-Si alloy having a mean linear grain diameter of the Silicon eutectic of more than 3 .mu.m for combustion engines and provided with a hard-oxidized top, the structure of the base material to be oxidized is subjected to a grain refinement in the depth to be oxidized so that the silicon eutectic has a mean linear grain diameter of less than 3 .mu.m, preferably less than 2.5 .mu.m. By this means, the resistance to erosion of the hard-oxide layer is improved. The grain refinement may be effected in the respective zones during the casting of the piston or thereafter by re-melting those zones prior to oxidizing. If the risk of erosion exists only in specific locally limited zones of a relatively large hard-oxide surface, then a grain refinement confined to these zones is sufficient.