DIAMOND FOR TOOLING AND ABRASIVES

For a long time, refractory CVD coatings have strongly improved the performance of cemented carbide tools. Low pressure diamond synthesis permits both in situ CVD diamond coating and free-standing low pressure diamond sheet fabrication. The performance of coated and free-standing bonded diamond layer tools approaches that of commercial PCD products. Low pressure diamond grits and new composite powders could provide new and extraordinary grinding powders or raw materials for novel types of PCD composites. Commercial production is now mainly a scaling-up problem. Reliable and low cost fabrication are among the most important requirements. As these applications tolerate the use of polycrystalline layers, they are likely to fall to industrial low pressure diamond products which will soon have a significant market share.