Abstract: A steel piston designed to improve thermal efficiency, fuel consumption, and performance of an engine is provided. The piston includes a steel body portion and a thermal barrier layer applied to an upper combustion surface and/or a ring belt to reduce the amount of heat transferred from a combustion chamber to the body portion. The thermal barrier layer has a thermal conductivity which is lower than a thermal conductivity of the steel body portion. The thermal barrier layer typically includes a ceramic material, for example ceria, ceria stabilized zirconia, and/or a mixture of ceria stabilized zirconia and yttria stabilized zirconia in an amount of 90 to 100 wt. %, based on the total weight of the ceramic material. The thermal barrier layer can also have a gradient structure which gradually transitions from 100 wt. % of a metal bond material to 100 wt. % of the ceramic material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a piston for an internal combustion engine. The piston comprises a cover which at least partially covers a piston basehead of the piston. A heat-isolating air gap is formed between the cover and the piston basehead, which is fluidically connected to a combustion chamber and/or an upper side of the cover facing away from the heat-isolating air gap. The fluidic connection permits a fluid exchange to take place between the heat-isolating air gap and the combustion chamber. In this way, a pressure gradient can be reduced between the combustion chamber and the heat-isolating air gap. As a result, the cover is/can be kept thin without being deformed during combustion.

Abstract: A silicate mixture and a combustion accelerator increase combustion efficiency in a combustion engine. The silicate mixture is formed by mixing a first component including one or two or more materials selected from silicon compounds including silicon, glass, and quartz, and a second component including one or two or more materials selected from materials formed by sintering a silicate mineral at a temperature of 1300° C. or higher and 2000° C. or lower and ores emitting a terahertz wave.

Abstract: A combustion-chamber structure of an engine comprises a combustion chamber which is partitioned by a cylinder block, a cylinder head, and a piston. The piston includes a piston body having an upper surface facing the combustion chamber, a heat-insulation layer provided at least in a central area, in a radial direction, of the upper surface and having smaller heat conductivity than the piston body, a heat-barrier layer provided to cover the upper surface and having smaller heat conductivity than the piston body and the heat-insulation layer, and a heat-diffusion layer provided between the heat-insulation layer and the heat-barrier layer and having larger heat conductivity than the heat-insulation layer and the heat-barrier layer. The heat-diffusion layer comprises a side end edge and an extension portion which contact with the piston body.

Abstract: A pump fluid end comprising: a reciprocating element disposed within a reciprocating element bore and having an outer surface; a reciprocating element packing positioned within the reciprocating element bore; and optionally a sleeve positioned within the reciprocating element bore and having an inner surface proximate the outer surface of the reciprocating element, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the reciprocating element and/or the inner surface of the sleeve is coated with a multi-layer surface coating comprising a plurality of layers including: a first layer in contact with the at least a portion of the outer surface of the reciprocating element and/or the inner surface of the sleeve; and a second layer disposed over at least a portion of the first layer; and wherein at least one of the plurality of layers has a different visual appearance and/or material composition than another of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A composite thermal barrier and methods of applying the composite thermal barrier to a metallic surface within a combustion chamber of an engine. The composite thermal barrier includes at least one metallic support structure, a metallic skin, and an insulation material. The metallic support structure is connected to a metallic surface within the combustion chamber of the engine. The metallic skin is disposed adjacent to the metallic support structure to define a void space between the metallic skin and the metallic surface. The insulation material is contained within the volume to form the composite thermal barrier.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow correction system and method are disclosed for an engine air system with air and EGR inputs to a mixer. The system includes three temperature sensors to measure temperatures of the air input, EGR input, and mixer output; and an air system model computing EGR flow corrections using the three temperatures. Air system can include intake manifold, charge air cooler (CAC), air throttle, EGR cooler and EGR valve, with first sensor between CAC and air throttle, second sensor between EGR cooler and EGR valve, third sensor in intake manifold. Air system model can estimate mass flows through air and EGR inputs, estimate intake manifold temperature at third sensor, estimate intake manifold temperature error, and compute EGR corrections based on temperature error. Air system model can estimate CAC and EGR cooler outlet temperatures, and mixer input temperature.

Abstract: A repaired piston includes a crown composed of base and welding filler materials, and having an annular rim extending around a combustion bowl. A finite number of repaired defects are within the annular rim, and have a spatial distribution limited by a multidirectional spacing parameter, and a size distribution limited by a unidirectional sizing parameter.

Abstract: A steel piston for an internal combustion engine may include a piston crown and a protective layer disposed on the piston crown. The protective layer may include an adhesion layer of Cr or CrN, which is present on a surface of the piston crown. The protective layer may include a functional layer, which is present on the adhesion layer. The functional layer may have at least one of (i) at least one layer (A) of CrN and (ii) at least one layer (B) of CrOn in the form of [(A)/(B)]a, and a may represent 1 to 100.

Abstract: An engine control system for a vehicle includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate-estimation module and a control module. The EGR rate-estimation module receives a first signal indicating a first relative humidity of a flow of air and a second signal indicating a second relative humidity of a mixed flow of air and exhaust gas. The EGR rate-estimation module determines an estimated EGR rate based on the first relative humidity and the second relative humidity, wherein the estimated EGR rate corresponds to a flow rate of a flow of exhaust gas to an engine. The control module selectively adjusts an engine operating parameter based on the estimated EGR rate.

Abstract: A bearing block assembly in an engine is provided. The bearing block assembly includes at least one bearing block to rotatably support an oil lubricated shaft and fastening apparatus to attach the at least one bearing block to a flat mounting surface on a large engine component and a thermal barrier positioned between the shaft and the flat mounting surface configured to reduce the loss of heat to the large engine component from oil used to lubricate the shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an internal combustion engine with an engine block and a cylinder liner housing a piston. The engine block includes at least one cylinder cavity and at least one replaceable cylinder liner positioned within the cylinder cavity. At least two press fit areas create an interference fit between the engine block and the replaceable cylinder liner. One press fit area is located proximate to the top surface of the engine block and the other press fit area is located in the engine block at the opposite end of the cylinder liner. A storage volume is formed between the press fit areas by the outer surface of the cylinder liner and the surface of the engine block defining the cylinder cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an internal combustion engine with an engine block and a cylinder liner housing a piston. The engine block includes at least one cylinder cavity and at least one replaceable cylinder liner positioned within the cylinder cavity. At least two press fit areas create an interference fit between the engine block and the replaceable cylinder liner. One press fit area is located proximate to the top surface of the engine block and the other press fit area is located in the engine block at the opposite end of the cylinder liner. A storage volume is formed between the press fit areas by the outer surface of the cylinder liner and the surface of the engine block defining the cylinder cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving performance in an internal combustion engine includes texturing on an inner surface of at least a portion of an engine head. The texturing may include elongated raised portions extending in one or more directions that may aid in controlling and directing pre-combustion and/or combustion gases in a combustion chamber for a more unified combustion. The result is improved power and/or efficiency.

Abstract: A cylinder liner has an outer circumferential surface on which a film is formed. The film functions to form gaps between the cylinder block and the cylinder liner. Alternatively, the film functions to reduce adhesion of the cylinder liner to the cylinder block. The cylinder liner suppresses excessive decreases in the temperature of a cylinder.

Abstract: An engine is made by providing a layer of material between the outer surface of a cylinder liner and the inner surface of the cylinder opening within an engine block. The material can be a polymer or a ceramic. Polyether ether ketone or polyethylene terephthalate can be a polymer used for these purposes. Zirconia or yttria can be ceramic used for these purposes. An electro-deposited paint can serve as the layer of thermally insulative material.

Abstract: A light metal cylinder crankcase for combustion engines has cylinder bushings with a running layer that forms the running surface and a rough, external bonding layer for bonding the cylinder bushings to the cylinder crankcase while pouring the cylinder crankcase. At least 60% of the bonding layer relative to the jacket surface of the bonding layer is connected with the casting material of the cylinder crankcase in a material tight manner.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a cylinder and a piston movable in the cylinder, the cylinder and piston defining a combustion chamber enclosed by the cylinder and the piston, a surface of at least one of at least one component of the combustion chamber and an adjoining space that comes into contact with at least one of a fuel-air mixture to be combusted and with motor oil has, at least in certain areas, a catalytic coating for oxidizing carbonization residues, the coating consists of a ternary vanadium oxide compound and at least one other compound of at least one metal oxide, the metal oxide is at least one of the group consisting of a cerium oxide, an oxide of another rare-earth metal, an oxide of lanthanum (La), and an oxide of a transition metal.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, especially an Otto engine, with intake valves and with a fuel injector, which is arranged and designed so that it injects the fuel directly into a combustion chamber of working cylinders of the internal combustion engine. At least in the region of the neck, the intake valves have a surface that is designed to counteract the formation of carbon deposits.

Abstract: A coating and coating process to improve the efficiency of hydrocarbon fueled engines, wherein the coating includes a high percentage of nickel to create a reaction which improves the combustion efficiency of the hydrocarbon fuel. The coating may also include chromium, iron, and other constituents and is applied to combustion surfaces with a sufficient bonding strength to allow the coating to function in the combustion chamber, while providing a surface having sufficient surface roughness to promote the chemical reaction underlying the combustion efficiency improvement. The nickel causes a catalytic cracking reaction to ease the combustibility of hydrocarbon molecules in the fuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the manufacture of aircraft engine cylinder barrels to prevent their premature failure due to hairline cracks or specks thought to be caused by caustic stress corrosion cracking during black oxide treatment. Machined aircraft cylinder barrels immersed into a black oxide chemical bath composed of a solution containing about 60% sodium hydroxide, about 0% sodium nitrate, and about 40% sodium nitrite most effectively prevents specks and hairline cracks. Since residual stresses from machining also contribute to the probability that specks or hairline cracks will occur during black oxide treatment, the maximum selected number of cylinder barrels essentially free of detectible specks or hairline cracks determines the maximum number of cylinder barrels to be machined on a given set of tool bits.

Abstract: Surface activation is intended to ensure that a cylinder liner can be anchored in the casting material of a light-metal crankcase with greater bonding. For surface activation, the surface of the cylinder liner is roughened mechanically. Advantageously, copper particles are also implanted into the treated surface. It is necessary to ensure that the time span between surface activation and casting-in is short. Moreover, the activated surface, as far as possible, should not be touched by hand.

Abstract: Engine components are thermally insulated with composite layers for improved engine efficiency. A metallic insulation layer is affixed to the metallic substrate of each component, and a layer of heat and corrosion resistant metal overlies and is bonded to the insulation layer. One preferred embodiment incorporates a preformed sheet layer of stainless steel sintered to a layer of metallic insulation attached to the component body substrate. An alternate embodiment incorporates a plasma-sprayed stainless steel layer over the insulation layer. A preferred process for making the engine component includes casting the component body in a mold containing a preformed insulation composite formed of a layer of stainless steel sheet sintered to a layer of metallic insulation.

Abstract: Engine components are thermally insulated with composite layers for improved engine efficiency. A metallic insulation layer is affixed to the metallic substrate of each component, and a layer of heat and corrosion resistant metal overlies and is bonded to the insulation layer. One preferred embodiment incorporates a preformed sheet layer of stainless steel sintered to a layer of metallic insulation attached to the component body substrate. An alternate embodiment incorporates a plasma-sprayed stainless steel layer over the insulation layer. A preferred process for making the engine component includes casting the component body in a mold containing a preformed insulation composite formed of a layer of stainless steel sheet sintered to a layer of metallic insulation.

Abstract: Ceramic materials to be insert-cast are disclosed, which each contain not less than 65% by volume of aluminum titanate as a crystalline phase, and have an average particle diameter of crystals thereof being not less than 10 .mu.m, Young's modulus of 50 to 2,000 kgf/mm.sup.2, compression strength of 5 to 40 kgf/mm.sup.2, and porosity of 5 to 35%. Ceramic port liners are also disclosed, which are free from cracking due to compression force during insert-casting, peeling-off during use, and facilitate insert-casting. To attain this, a reinforcement which meets either one or both of requirements that differences in coefficient of thermal expansion at 800.degree. C. and Young's modulus between the reinforcement and a material constituting the port liner body are in a range of .+-.0.1% and in a range of .+-.1,000 kgf/mm.sup.2, respectively, is filled into a depressed portion at an outer peripheral surface of the port liner body to form an integrated structure with a flat or swelled surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring the dimensions of a worn engine cylinder block (11) to "as new" condition by the selective removal of spaced portions (20) and (30) of the cylinder block (11) followed by the replacement of the removed portions by specially contoured inserts (40) and (50) by an insert tool (70) that disposes the inserts (40) and (50) in a press-fit relationship in the cavities (20) and (30) formed by the removal process.

Abstract: An engine block for an internal combustion engine including at least one bore, and a cylindrical liner that is pressed into the bore to define the inner cylindrical surface along which the piston reciprocates. The inner surface of the bore and the outer surface of the liner are each coated with a zinc or zinc alloy coating that is metallurgically bonded to the respective surfaces to form intermetallic bonds. The liner is pressed into the bore while the liner and bore are at an elevated temperature approximately corresponding to the melting temperature of zinc, in order to unite the liner and block by means of a metallurgical bond. The metallurgical bond is substantially continuous to provide a continuous metallic path for improved heat transfer and structural strength between the liner and the block material. The liner can be formed either from cast iron or from an aluminum alloy, and the engine block is preferably cast from an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: Method of bonding cylinder liners to cylinder bore walls, comprising: (a) inserting a cylindrical work hardenable liner into a complementary sized cylindrical bore wall of the block, with a uniform annular radial spacing therebetween of about 0.005 inch; and (b) forcing a nondeformable mandrel throughout the interior length of the cylindrical liner to uniformly circumferentially expand the radially outer surface of the liner into full annular surface-to-surface heat exchange relationship with the interior surface of the bore wall, the mandrel having a cross-sectional radius greater than the interior radius of the liner by a dimension which is at least 0.001 inch in excess of such radial spacing. Preferably, the cylindrical liner is comprised of steel having a ductility of at least 30%, a hardness of at least 35 HRB, and a wall thickness in the range of 0.050-0.250.

Abstract: An arrangement in combustion chamber surfaces of an internal combustion engine, wherein these surfaces exhibit at least partially a thin surface layer (2) which will influence the octane/cetane rating requirement of the engine in a manner to limit the knocking tendency of the engine. The surface layer (2) comprises a material of low reflectivity and high absorptivity in respect of electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of up to at least 7 .mu.m. The surace layer (2) has located therebeneath a layer (3) which functions as a transient heat buffer and alternately absorbs heat from and emits heat to the surface layer (2).

Abstract: A thermal insulating material for combustion engine components, which are subjected to combustion gases, e.g. pistons. The insulation consists of a metal layer sintered under low pressure so as to have a porosity of about 25-50% and which is bonded to the engine component by casting of the component onto the porous sintered layer. The exposed or wear-receiving surface of the sintered layer is machined, which not only achieves accurate dimensioning but also closes the pores of the surface.

Abstract: In an internal combustion type engine having a piston disposed within a cylinder, a plurality of ceramic cylinder inner surface sections are provided for covering surfaces of the cylinder chamber and the piston which are directly exposed to the ignited combustion gases as the piston travels through its stroke. Same are for the protection of the metal structure of the engine from exposure to the heat generated within the cylinder.

Abstract: In a spark-ignition internal combustion engine of the type having a combustion chamber which presents at least one surface area on which there is applied at least one layer which presents to the combustion chamber a layer defining surface having very low reflectivity to electromagnetic waves in the wavelength range of about 0.2-7.0 microns. The layer reflects non-absorbed incident waves in a diffuse fashion, thereby to reduce the octane number requirement of the engine. The total surface area thus treated for each combustion chamber of the engine is equal to at least 10% of the top surface area of the piston in said chamber. The overall efficiency of the engine can be further improved when at least one of the layers has an underlying defining surface distal from the combustion chamber which reflects substantially all incoming electromagnetic waves in the wavelength range above 2.5 microns in a diffuse fashion.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block, a piston and a piston ring. The cylinder block includes at least one cylinder bore which includes a cylinder bore surface. The piston is located within the cylinder bore of the cylinder block so as to be displaceable upwardly and downwardly in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder bore. The piston includes at least one annular groove which has at least one inclined surface such that a bottom of the annular groove is located lower than an outer edge of the annular groove. The piston ring includes an outer peripheral portion and an inner peripheral portion. The inner peripheral portion of the piston ring is located within the annular groove of the piston for sliding engagement with the inclined surface of the annular groove of the piston.

Abstract: In a piston for internal combustion engines the piston head is formed with a combustion chamber recess and is provided with a heat-insulating layer of ceramic material. To minimize the heat to be dissipated to the coolant, one part of the heat-insulating layer consists of a solid ceramic insert and the other part consists of a ceramic coating.

Abstract: A precombustion chamber construction of an internal combustion engine includes an upper ceramic body and a lower ceramic body abutting thereagainst to form a precombustion chamber communicating through an injection hole with a main combustion chamber. According to the invention at least a portion of abutting surfaces of the upper and lower ceramic bodies is inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the precombustion chamber, thereby preventing any relative rotative movement of the upper and lower ceramic bodies even if they are subjected to rotating forces caused by vibrations of the engine or explosion of fuel.

Abstract: An integrally cast composite piston assembly is disclosed which is effective to carry a ceramic plate in an iron based cap. The assembly comprises a cylindrical piston body, preferably of aluminum, having a crown top, an annular crown side wall with an upper edge, and an annular undercut surface terminating the crown side wall. The undercut surface must make an angle with a plane extending perpendicular to the axis of the piston, the angle being substantially equal to the arc tangent of H/R where H is the median distance of the undercut surface from the plane and R is the median radius of the undercut surface from the axis of the piston.

Abstract: The invention concerns components for internal combustion engines with heat resistant combustion chamber inserts, especially components made of light metal with casted porous ceramic inserts positioned by casting around the basic material, in which in order to lower the gas pressure which builds up under said inserts (3), at least one gas pressure release bore hole (4,5) is provided in the basic material of the component (1) which leads to the bottom of said insert. The invention further describes a process for the production of these components in which the insert is first fixed in its position relative to the basic element and thereafter the bore holes are produced in the basic material.

Abstract: The control of the octane requirement increase phenomenon in an internal combustion engine is achieved by introducing into an internal combustion engine, having manifold and/or combustion surfaces which inhibit the formation of engine deposits, along with the combustion charge, a fuel composition containing an octane requirement increase-inhibiting amount of (a) an oil-soluble iron compound and (b) carboxylic acids and/or ester derivatives thereof. In particular the esters of a tertiary alcohol and an unsubstituted, mono-carboxylic acid having at least two carbon atoms, e.g., t-butylacetate, in combination with dicyclopentadienyl iron provides an effective octane requirement increase-inhibiting additive for said internal combustion engine. Preferably the manifold and combustion surfaces of said internal combustion engine are coated with a low density alumina or zirconia coating. More preferably said alumina or zirconia coating further comprises a carbon gasification catalyst, e.g.

Abstract: A heat insulated reciprocating component, such as a piston or a valve, for an internal combustion engine comprises a main component body and a ceramic member secured to the body by interference fit with a metal connector which is brazed to the body. In one embodiment, the main body of a piston has an outwardly opening cavity, a ceramic member in the cavity having an annular groove, and a ring seated in the groove and brazed to side of the cavity. In another embodiment, the combustion wall defining face of the valve has a ceramic member mounted thereon, and metal ring in overlapping engagement with the periphery of the member and brazed to the body of the valve. The invention also comprehends the method of making such a component by applying a metal ring in overlapping engagement with the periphery of a ceramic member, mounting a brazing alloy shim on the ring, assembling these parts on the combustion chamber end of the component, and brazing the ring to the component.

Abstract: In a reciprocating internal-combustion engine of a low-temperature catalytic-combustion type, catalyst layers which act at low catalyst temperatures of about 500.degree. C. or downwards to permit combustion of a gaseous air-fuel mixture are formed or secured on the inner wall surfaces of each combustion chamber of the engine, whereby low-temperature catalytic combustion of the air-fuel mixture is made possible in quench layer formed along the inner wall surfaces of each combustion chamber separate from its piston-sliding region, whereby incomplete combustion is prevented, a regular operation is made possible even with a dilute gas mixture having air-fuel ratio exceeding the limit of misfire in the conventional engines, the fuel efficiency is enhanced and the reduction in hydrocarbon, CO and NOx in exhaust gas is attained as well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the performance of an internal combustion engine in which a piston (10) has a hollow head (11) within the cavity of which there is mounted an open topped frusto-conical bulbous casing (13), the opening of which is covered with a mesh (14) preferably welded to its rim (15). The casing-mesh unit is attached by means of spacers (16) preferably comprising pins (17) and (21) in such a way that a space is formed between the convex exterior walls of the casing (13) and the concave interior walls of the cavity (12) of the piston head (11).

Abstract: The disclosed engine part uses an integral combination of a ceramic member and a metallic member, which ceramic member has a metallized layer formed on one side surface thereof, and a metallic buffer is bonded to the metallized layer so as to be disposed between the ceramic member and the metallic member.

Abstract: The combustion zone of an internal combustion engine is provided with a catalyst which is incorporated in the combustion zone as a thin layer placed on the internal cylinder walls and/or the top surface of the piston and/or on surfaces of the spark plug which are exposed to the combustion zone of the cylinder for the purpose of cracking the carbon-carbon bonds in the heavier fuel molecules immediately prior to combustion within the combustion zone of the cylinder. The light fuel molecules produced during fuel contact with the catalyst yields a more complete combustion and extraction of the exothermic energy, thereby increasing fuel economy and decreasing the amounts of incomplete combustion products leaving the exhaust. The catalysts for use in the present invention include acidic metal oxide mixtures.

Abstract: Improved heat insulating of a combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine is obtained by providing a heat-resistant body in at least one surface, which is intended to at least partly limit a combustion chamber. A support body supports the heat-resistant body, said bodies each having facing mantle surfaces. Between said bodies there is a heat-insulating element of a material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and a lower modulus of elasticity than the material in either one of said bodies. The bodies and the element are held together at the mantle surfaces by means of a shrink fit.

Abstract: A cylinder casing for use in internal combustion engines having a reciprocating piston is provided having strip-shaped hardened zones along the inner wall of the cylinder which are disposed in such a manner as to impart rotational movement to piston rings relative to the piston sliding within that cylinder.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of modifying a conventional internal combustion engine to accept ceramic material. A cast iron extension mamber is metallurgically joined to the cast iron engine block, the extension member having a wall defining a bore opening aligned with and larger than the bore opening of the engine block. The extension member has a height substantially equal to or greater than the axial stroke of the piston. The diameter of the upper portion of the wall, defining the bore opening in the engine block, is enlarged to define an annular shoulder; the shoulder has an outer surface substantially axially aligned with the wall defining the bore opening in the extension member. A cylindrical ceramic liner, such as zirconia or alumina, is attached within the wall of the bore opening of the extension member by use of a high strength metallic sleeve which is fitted along the outer surface of the shoulder. The ceramic liner has an internal surface aligned with the wall of the bore opening in the engine block.

Abstract: In a cylinder head (1) of a piston engine, a thermal insulation component having openings for the accommodation of valve seats, spark plugs, and injection nozzles consists of a circular aluminum titanate plate (2) which is shrink-fitted into a planar circular ring of zirconium oxide (12) gripped or shrink-fitted in the cylinder head. The circular plate (2) of aluminum titanate forms the greatest part of the cylinder head bottom (9).

Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, each cylinder of which is provided at the connection point of light metal cylinder head and cylinder sleeve with a sealing element. On that surface which is directed toward the combustion chamber, the sealing element is provided with a heat insulating layer. This heat insulating layer serves for thermal insulation of the sealing surfaces of the light metal cylinder head and the cylinder sleeve in order to reduce thermal stresses and radial relative movements resulting from non-uniform thermal expansion characteristics. The end face inner surface of the cylinder sleeve is preferably also thermally insulated.

Abstract: Combustion chamber defining components such as cylinder liners in internal combustion engines are composed of a plurality of metal oxides which combine to impart good wear resistance and thermally insulative characteristics.

Abstract: Ceramic inserts are embedded in thermally highly loaded zones and/or as a heat insulation in light metal castings for use in internal combustion engines.To provide a firm joint between the insert and the light metal, a metallic material which resists creep and/or relaxation is shrunk on the insert before it is embedded.