Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools possessing high hardness and abrasive wear resistance are particularly suited for drilling of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites, where tool life and consistent hole quality are important. While PCD presents superior performance when drilling CFRP, it is unclear how it performs when drilling multi-stack materials such as CFRP-titanium (Ti) stacks. This comparative study aims to investigate drilling of a Ti plate stacked on a CFRP panel when using PCD tools. The first sequence of the drilling experiments was to drill 20 holes in CFRP only. CFRP-Ti stacks were then drilled for the next 20 holes with the same drill bit. CFRP holes and CFRP-Ti stack holes were evaluated in terms of machined hole quality. The main tool wear mechanism of PCD drills is micro-fractures that occur when machining the Ti plate of the stack. Tool wear increases the instability and the operation temperature when machining the Ti plate. This results in high drilling forces, large hole diameter errors, high surface roughness, wider CFRP exit thermal damage, and taller exit Ti burrs.
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.
In this paper, the fundamental attributes, phase composition of three pre-alloyed powders for diamond tools by water atomization were investigated. The density, hardness, bend strength and bending modulus of their hot pressing samples were examined. The results showed that the three pre-alloyed powders have excellent low temperature sintering characteristics. The physical and mechanical properties of the samples were found to be nearly the same as those of fine cobalt powders.
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.
In 1997, Dr. James Chien-Min Sung patented the technology of making diamond tools according to a predetermined pattern. The optimization of this pattern may double the tool life and the cutting speed. In 1998, Sung also made DiaGrid® saw segments that showed superior performance in cutting granite and marble. In 2000, Sung visited Shinhan and introduced them this revolutionary concept of diamond saw segments. In 2005, Shinhan adapted the idea and produced saw segments with diamond grits set in a predetermined pattern, their results confirmed that the sawing speed and the sawing life were both improved over conventional designs.
For dry machining of mineral materials the Institute of Materials Engineering pursues a novel thermal protection shield concept for diamond tools, in which thermal insulating materials in diamond composite structures act as heat shield, which protects diamonds in deeper layers against high temperature and graphitisation. Before the effectiveness of this concept could be investigated suitable composites have to be manufactured. In this paper the powder metallurgical production processes of diamond-alumina-cobalt-composites with varying alumina and cobalt particle sizes, their microstructures and porosities are described. It could be observed that the distribution of small-sized alumina particles (<70μm) in the cobalt matrix is uniform and the porosity of the composite decrease.
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.