New developments of FAST/SPS tool materials

Since FAST/SPS technology ensures an adequate and fast consolidation of different materials the demand for suitable pressing tool materials is growing. Graphite based materials are widely used and well known as FAST/SPS tool materials but they also have some unwanted or weak properties, for example, a possible reaction or reduction of sample material as well as low mechanical values compared to other tool materials. In this paper, an approach for the FAST/SPS consolidation of ZTA-Ti (C,N) and TiN-TiB2 based cutting tool inserts in newly developed FAST/SPS tool materials which can be used for fully automated FAST2 devices is presented. Furthermore, a general strategy for the further development of FAST/SPS tool materials is focused.