Engine cylinder liners based on aluminum alloys and intermetallic compounds, and methods of obtaining them

In a method of producing engine cylinder liners, comprising:

• (1) converting an aluminum alloy from the liquid state to a powder of particle dimensions from 60 to 400 .mu.m;
• (2) shaping said powder by cold compression;
• and
• (3) sintering said shaped powder in a controlled atmosphere, the improvement comprising
• mixing the powder prior to shaping with grains of an intermetallic compound having a grain size of 5 to 50 .mu.m and a melting point of more than 700.degree. C., the grains being added in such quantity that they comprise 5 to 15% by weight of the liners.

In a method of producing engine cylinder liners, comprising:

• (1) converting an aluminum alloy from the liquid state to a powder of particle dimensions from 60 to 400 .mu.m;
• (2) shaping by extruding said powder in a press selected from the group consisting of floating needle presses and bridge machinery presses, and;
• (3) trimming the extruded product obtained and cutting up said extruded product to the desired length, the improvement comprising
• mixing the powder prior to shaping with grains of an intermetallic compound having a grain size of 5 to 50 .mu.m and a melting point of more than 700.degree. C., the grains being added in such quantity that they comprise 5 to 15% by weight of the liners.