Micron Diamond — an advancing technology
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb057218 |
| Pages | 8-12 |
| Published date | 01 November 1981 |
| Date | 01 November 1981 |
| Author | Stan Herbert |
| Subject Matter | Economics,Information & knowledge management,Management science & operations |
Micron Diamond
—
an
advancing technology
by Stan Herbert
Fine diamond powders, in some cases composed of particles smaller than one micron, are
assuming ever increasing importance, especially as the cost of conventional abrasives rises
disproportionately. This article looks at the advancing technology behind natural and
synthetic micron diamond powders and their significance in the automated industry of
today
Of
the 100
million carats
or so of
industrial diamond
consumed
by the
Western World last year, some
10 per
cent
was
first subject
to
crushing into fine, micron-size
powder.
In
common with
the
present, overall pattern
of
industrial diamond supply,
a
large proportion
of
this
10
million carats
-
three-quarters
or
even more
-
stemmed
initially,
not
from natural resources,
but
from high
pressure/high temperature synthesis plants such
as
those
operated
by De
Beers
at
Springs
in the
South African
Transvaal,
at
Robertsfors
in
Sweden
and at
Shannon
in
the Irish Republic.
However, whether
of
natural
or
synthetic origin,
diamond micron powder these days
is
often
a
highly
sophisticated
and
versatile product widely used
in
com-
pound
or
paste form
to lap or
polish
a
whole range
of
industrial, scientific
and
medical equipment,
as a
fine
abrasive
in
resin bond, metal bond
and
electroplated
tools
and as a
loose abrasive employed, typically,
in die
stone production, gemstone polishing and jewel bearing
manufacture.
The
advent
of the
diamond slurry
in
recent years
has
produced
a
further
and
important
application area which will
be
dealt with later.
Process control
The current FEPA standard
for
micron diamond pow-
der sizes embraces particle sizes ranging from
a ½ to 84
microns (Figure
1) and it is a
clear reflection
on the
extent
of the
application area involved that
De
Beers
alone currently produces
two
distinctly different synthe-
tic powders
as
well
as a
natural product throughout
the
complete range. Since
in the
coarser sizes each
of the
three diamond types
is
available either uncoated
or
with
nickel
or
copper cladding,
the
possible permutations
involved become considerable.
In fact,
if
one takes
the
ultra-hard abrasive field
as a
whole,
the
micron powder range available
to the
user
8 INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT
+
DATA SYSTEMS
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