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This is a descriptive review of the ceramics structural applications developed by Isuzu, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota and General Motors in spark ignition, Diesel and gas turbine automotive engines; new analytical procedures needed for the design of structural ceramics; new silicon nitride ceramics with strength of material properties approaching steel; new ceramics processing techniques which have been reduced to commercial practice in Japan on a mass production scale; and tests of vital structural components fabricated of these ceramics.

Aluminum is the material for lighter structural components, and is also advantageous for the purpose of heat transfer. The automotive powerplant requires an efficient material with less weight and proper thermal characteristics, as demanded by early aviation applications, due to the recent necessity for environmental and energy conservation. However, cast iron has been the dominant material used for engine blocks because of simple economic reasons. To overcome the simple cost disadvantages of aluminum engine block application, it is necessary to utilize the full potential of the material to the proper advantage. New aluminum engine blocks with a unique cooling system of air assisted water cooling were developed. The basic design concept between cast iron and aluminum are the same, except for the design differences due to the structural stiffness of both materials. However, there are thermal property differences between aluminum and cast iron other than stiffness and weight.