The purpose of this study was to examine the interfacial reaction between diamond grits and Ni-based, Ag-based, brazing filler metal, respectively. The morphology of the interface between diamond grits and Ni-based, filler metal exhibited a very good condition after this heat treatment. Cr-carbide and Ni-rich compounds were detected by XRD analysis in the vicinity of the interface between diamond grits and Ni-based, filler metal after vacuum induction brazing. Chromium carbide is considered to play an important role in the high bonding strength achieved between diamonds grits and the brazing alloy.

The present study has shown that the effect of boron and phosphorus in Ni-Cr-Si-X alloy to interfacial reactions and bonding strength of diamond-steel substrate, and the influence of various construction parameters on the formation of the topography of the tool. And these factors are required to making a good brazed tool. The microstructures and phase change of the brazed region were analyzed into SEM, EDS. According to the electron probe microanalysis, while brazing, the chromium present in the brazing alloy segregated preferentially to the surface of the diamond to form a chromium rich reaction product, which was readily wetted by the alloy.

We found that the """interface reaction between Ni-based alloy bond, diamond, and steel core is very critical in bond strength of diamond tool. None element from metal bond diffuses into the steel core but the Fe element of steel core was easily diffused into the bond. This diffusion depth of Fe has a great effect on the bonding strength. The Cr in steel core accelerated the Fe diffusion and improved the bond strength, on the other hand, carbon decreased the strength. Ni-based alloy bond including Cr was chemically bonded with diamond by forming Cr carbide. However, the Cr and Fe in STS304 were largely interdiffused, the strength was very low. The Cr passivity layer formed at surface of STS304 made worse strength at commissure in brazing process.

A revolutionary "Active Braze Coated Diamond" (ABCD) has been developed for bonding diamond grits firmly in the metal matrix. The molten braze is wetted and reacted with diamond to form strong chemical bond at the interface so that the diamond does not become knocked out of tools. The ABC is a nickel alloy that can form metallurgical diffusion bondswith the metal matrix. In essence, ABCD turns diamond into a metal grain so that the diamond tools can be made by conventional powder metallurgical process without being concerned about the poor bonding between matrix metal powder and the diamond as before.