Abstract: The composite material having improved toughness is produced by preparing a laminate from reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic resin; heating the laminate at a temperature higher than a melting point of the thermoplastic resin under pressure; quenching the composite material at an initial cooling rate of 100.degree. C./min or more, thereby providing the PEEK in the resulting composite material with a degree of crystallization equal to or lower than 75% of the maximum degree of crystallization of the thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A cylinder block as a main part of an engine block includes a cylinder barrel assembly block, a skeleton-like frame surrounding the outer periphery of the cylinder barrel assembly block and a plate-like rigid film member, within a fluid passage in the skeleton-like frame. The skeleton-like frame is integrally joined to the outer surfaces of left and right side walls of the assembly block along the crankshaft axis and includes crossbeam bone members, longitudinal beam bone members and post bone members which are rigid and unitarily assembled into a three-dimensional latticework structure. A cylinder head is integrally coupled to the deck surface of the cylinder block and a lower case is integrally coupled to the lower surface of the cylinder block, lateral outer surfaces of the block and lower case along the crankshaft axis being formed flush with each other in parallel with the cylinder bore axis.

Abstract: Carbon fibers are mixed with a metal powder oxidizable to generate heat and the mixture is formed into a shaped article. The fiber shaped article is heated in a non-oxidative atmosphere in a preheating furnace and then, a molten metal is filled into the fiber shaped article and solidified, while permitting the metal powder to be oxidized to generate heat in the atmosphere.For a magnesium alloy used as a matrix, the aluminum content thereof is set within a range of 0.3 to 5.0% by weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber-reinforced metallic member in which an essential part is reinforced by inorganic fibers. The fiber-reinforced metallic member is reinforced by means of a fiber shaped body having a low fiber volume proportion which is formed by mixing powder having the same composition as the metal forming a non-reinforced layer thereof or powder consisting of principal components of the metal with inorganic fibers, the particle diameter of the powder being 1 to 20 times as large as a diameter of the inorganic fibers, and compressing and shaping the mixture. It is also possible to place the layer which is reinforced by the fiber shaped body having a low fiber volume proportion, adjacent to the non-reinforced layer, and to increase a fiber volume proportion in the reinforced layer in the direction of separating from the adjacent reinforced layer.