Abstract: Punch and counter punch plates are fabricated from chromium containing alloys, essentially consisting of, each in percent by weight, carbon in the range of 0 to 1.1, silicon in a maximum of 1.0, manganese in a maximum of 1.5, chromium in the range of 11.0 to 17.5, molybdenum in the range of 0 to 1.5, nickel in the range of 0.35 to 10.0, copper in the range of 0 to 4.5, vanadium in the range of 0 to 0.5, cobalt in the range of 0 to 1.5, niobium in the range of 0 to 0.45, titanium in the range of 0 to 1.5, nitrogen in the range of 0 to 0.1, the remainder being iron and impurities resulting from the manufacturing conditions.

Abstract: The pressure plate of a pressing tool is made of a chromium containing alloy essentially consisting of, each in percent by weight, carbon up to 0.3, silicon up to 1.0, manganese up to 1.5, chromium in the range of 11 to 17.2, molybdenum up to 1.5, nickel up to 6.0, copper up to 4.5, columbium up to 0.45, and nitrogen up to 0.10, the remainder being iron and impurities resulting from the melting conditions, wherein a chromium equivalent defined as the sum of % chromium+% molybdenum+1.5.times.% silicon.times.0.5.times.% columbium has a value smaller than or equal to 17.2, a nickel equivalent defined as the sum of % nickel+0.5.times.% manganese+30.times.% carbon+20.times.% nitrogen has a value greater than or equal to 4.65 the chromium equivalent to nickel equivalent ratio has a value smaller than or equal to 3.0 and the ferrite content is smaller or equal to 5%. The pressure plate is provided with a uniformly structured working surface by chemical or electrochemical etching.