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In this work, the design and testing of a silicon-nitride (Si3N4) piston-cup for a Petter AV1 laboratory diesel engine is presented. A preliminary design was first prepared and tested for thermal shock. The tests showed that non uniform displacements occurred between the ceramic plate and the piston. An improved design was then prepared, which allowed control of the characteristics of the gasket mounted between the ceramic plate and the piston. This second design was evaluated by thermal shock and exposure to cyclic pressure variation, followed by engine tests. A short description is given of the experimental set-up used for investigating the ceramic materials which are candidates for the moving parts exposed to thermal and dynamic shock in internal combustion engines. Finally two pistons with ceramic top plates were introduced in the engine with thermocouples mounted at different points of the liner and exhaust valve.