Special importance for the long term functional safety of the casting cylinder is the piston rod surface. The piston rod of the casting cylinder fitted in the casting pit is in constant contact with cooling water, casting scrap in the form of aluminium particles as well as strongly adhesive cast-iron grease and contamination. To offer a maximum protection from corrosion and mechanical wear, the piston rods are coated with the multi-compound-metal-oxide coating Ceraplate. Ceraplate is distinguished by a thermically sprayed two layer arrangement, applied by a plasma spraying process.