This book deals with a new class of ceramic materials, the MAX Phases, which are unique new ternary carbides and nitrides. These materials exhibit a unique combination of characters of both ceramics and metals. Like ceramics, they have low density, low thermal expansion coefficient, high modulus and high strength, and good high-temperature oxidation resistance. Like metals, they are good electrical and thermal conductors, readily machinable, tolerant to damage, and resistant to thermal shock. The unique combination of these interesting properties enables these ceramics to be a promising candidate material for use in many diverse fields, especially in high temperature applications