COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS - IS IT THE MOST FLEXIBLE OF THE DIAMOND SYNTHESIS PROCESSES

The various features and attributes of the combustion diamond synthesis process are examined. The ability to synthesize diamond in various forms at high growth rates in an open atmosphere characterizes this technique. A number of different concepts for shaping and controlling the flame front, with important implications on process flexibility, have been discussed in the literature and are reviewed in this paper. Control of the diamond microstructure, and the attendant quality of the diamond, is shown to be readily accomplished with this technique. The low cost of equipment leads to greater flexibility in terms of capacity expansion, investment requirements and commercialization. The broad flexibility of the equipment design and the wide process window available make this technique the most flexible of all the diamond synthesis approaches.