Metal-bonded diamond impregnated tools are being increasingly used in the processing of stone and ceramics, road repair, petroleum exploration, etc. Although the main tool wear mechanisms have been identified, the scientific background is inadequate and fundamental research has to be carried out to better understand the tool field behaviour. This work addresses the complex issues of modelling abrasive wear of the metallic matrix under laboratory conditions. The generated data indicates that the matrix wear resistance can be assessed in a simple manner; whereas tests carried out on diamond impregnated specimens may aid prediction of the tool life in abrasive applications.

Powdered metal parts and components may be carburized successfully in a vacuum furnace by combining carburizing technology VacCarb™ with a hi-tech control system. This approach is different from traditional carburizing methods, because vacuum carburizing is a non-equilibrium process. It is not possible to set the carbon potential as in a traditional carburizing atmosphere and control its composition in order to obtain a desired carburized case. This paper presents test results that demonstrate that vacuum carburizing system VacCarb™ carburized P.M. materials faster than traditional steel with acceptable results. In the experiments conducted, PM samples with the lowest density and open porosity showed a dramatic increase in the surface carbon content up to 2.5%C and a 3 times deeper case. Currently the boost-diffusion technique is applied to control the surface carbon content and distribution in the case. In the first boost step, the flow of the carburizing gas has to be sufficient to saturate the austenite, while avoiding soot deposition and formation of massive carbides. To accomplish this goal, the proper gas flow rate has to be calculated. In the case of P.M. parts, more carbon can be absorbed by the part’s surface because of the additional internal surface area created by pores present in the carburized case. This amount will depend on the density of the part, the densification grade of the surface layer and the stage of the surface – “as machined” or “as sintered”. It is believed that enhanced gas diffusion after initial evacuation of the P.M. parts leads to faster carburization from within the pores, especially when pores are open – surface “as sintered” and interconnected – low density. A serious problem with vacuum carburizing is delivery of the carbon in a uniform manner to the work pieces. This led to the development of the different methods of carburizing gas circulation such as the pulse/pump method or the pulse/pause technique applied in SECO/WARWICK’s VacCarb™ Technology. In both cases, each pressure change may deliver fresh carburizing atmosphere into the pores and leads to faster carburization from within the pores. Since today’s control of vacuum carburizing is based largely on empirical results, presented experiments may lead to better understanding and improved control of the process.

Nowadays the market for diamond tools grows rapidly. The present decline in the price of industrial diamond makes it a commoditised product capable of competing with conventional abrasives. In terms of production volume, the largest group of diamond tools comprises the metal-bonded diamond impregnated tools, such as sawblades, wire saws, and core drills for cutting stone and construction materials, and core bits for mining applications. This article provides a compendious coverage of the powder metallurgy (PM) diamond tool-making routes, and identifies the recent trends towards changing the tool design and composition to render it cheaper and more efficient.