Diamond is popularly used in two different ways, as a jewel, and as an element to make cutting tools. Owing to its properties of wearing resistant, high abrasion resistant, chemically inert and the hardest material it enhances the applications of the tools.
The tools are made by depositing diamond particles on the functional surface of the tool by a chemical bond. Using diamond increases the grinding efficiency, lessens the grinding force, hikes the wear resistance, and expands the shelf life of the tools.
Types of Diamond Cutting ToolsÂ
Natural Diamond Cutting Tool (NDC)
It is the most ideal and precise tool that has been used for decades and is still a preferred choice. It is a single crystal tool that has high accuracy and low surface roughness. Having a thin cutting edge and a radius of 0.002 main features of this tool is that it is finely grounded and can extremely sharpen.
Polycrystalline Diamond Cutter (PDC)
This tool is widely used as it is cheaper than the NDC tool. The only con is that it is less sharp than the NDC tool. Introduced in the 19th century, it can extensively be manufactured as the raw materials are available in abundance. The tool is mainly used to cut non-ferrous metals and non-metals.
Chemical Vapour Disposition Cutter (CVD)
The tool overcomes almost all the shortcomings of NDC and PDC tools. It is produced using chemical vapour disposition i.e. depositing diamond on a heterogeneous substrate using the mixture of hydrogen and methane into its gaseous form. The properties, and structure of the CVD tool are the same as NDC. Plus the tools can perform functions of both NDC and PDC.
Different Powders for Diamond Cutting Tools and Its Effects
Adding the different iron powders improve the performance of the tools and are comparatively affordable.
Electrolytic Iron Powder
Electrolytic Iron Powder is made by the process of electro disposition and it is used for many industrial applications. It is manufactured using a high-tech and unique process. It can be customized with different physical and chemical properties as per the requirement. Considering its stability, high density, lower hydrogen loss, and handling strength it is a preferred option to make diamond cutting tools. It comes in various meshes that have distinct densities and are used accordingly.
Pre Alloyed PowderÂ
The powders are exclusively used to manufacture diamond cutting tools. It has a peculiar quality and can be customized to produce extra-ordinary and robust tools. A wide range of tools have pre-alloyed powders in them as it has exceptional diamond retention, works well with all kinds of stone surfaces, high diamond holding strength. Along with fulfilling varied needs in line with the needs, it can facilitate the hot pressing of matrix powder for every unique requirement of customers.
Conclusion
Using different iron powders is a long term solution as the powders reduce the sintering temperature, stabilizes its physical properties, and the particle size can be customized according to the need.
Almost 80-90 % of the manufacturers prefer using the electrolyte iron produces by Industrial Metal Powders (India) Pvt. Ltd. (IMP). It is tested in in-house complete diamond cutting tool testing labs. Even the raw materials are lab tested, facility to produce the pre-alloyed powders mechanically and by diffusion processing with its own range of technology.
IMP offers customized pre-alloyed and pre-blended ready to infiltrate metal matrix powders compositions to suit each customer’s unique requirements.
