Lapping performance guide of poly-crystal diamond particles through morphological analysis

Morphological properties of fine diamond particles are intimately related to applications for fine processing such as wearing and polishing of advanced industrial materials and products. The authors are improving and refining particles of poly-crystal diamonds made by an explosive method through size-sorting and shape classification. Obtained products, of micron sizes, have been tested on the lapping rates with the peripheral morphology aided by the parameters of Fourier transformation, where this new method of transforming peripheral functions is presented by the authors. The results will be useful to indicate the direction of better productivity with quantitative parametric characterization instead of the previous qualitative shape descriptions. The relationship between sizes and shapes of particles in conjunction with the mechanical lapping conditions must carefully be taken into account to evaluate the state of polished surfaces. The ordinary standard examines either statistical values from several representatively selected points or mean roughness from the wavy polished surfaces. It is certain that a faster polishing rate, with particles of optimum shape and/or larger size, creates rather rough surfaces, however, statistical averages are likely to be less accurate. For particles with higher lapping rates but fewer scratches, surface profiles (waviness) are evaluated by the Fourier transformation (FFT) method (averages of power spectra) in this report. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.