Hot press tool

Abstract

A hot press tool for use in a hot press process is formed of at least one material selected from a group consisting of materials characterized by formula M n+1 AX n , wherein M is an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W; A is an element selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, P, S, Ga, Ge, As, Cd, In, Sn, Tl, and Pb; and X is an element selected from the group consisting of C and N.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hot press tool for producing workpieces by a hot press process, wherein the hot press tool is formed of at least one material selected from a group consisting of materials characterized by formula M n+1 AX n , wherein 
 M is an element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, and W;    A is an element selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, P, S, Ga, Ge, As, Cd, In, Sn, Tl, and Pb; and    X is an element selected from the group consisting of C and N.    
     
     
         2 . A hot press tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the selected material is Ti 3 SiC 2 .  
     
     
         3 . A hot press tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the selected material is Ti 2 AlC.  
     
     
         4 . A hot press tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the selected material is Ti 4 AlN 3 .  
     
     
         5 . A hot press tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one material forms an outer layer ( 13 ) of the tool deposited on a base body ( 12 ).  
     
     
         6 . A hot press tool according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one of a punch (5), (1) and a sleeve ( 4 ).