High-performance diamond “Supertools” with extreme tool-life

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dc.contributor.authorDurazo-Cardenas, Isidro
dc.contributor.authorGoel, Saurav
dc.contributor.authorShore, Paul
dc.contributor.authorKirkwood, Leigh
dc.contributor.authorCross, Graham L.W.
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-03T14:41:49Z
dc.date.available2025-03-03T14:41:49Z
dc.date.freetoread2025-03-03
dc.date.issued2025-04
dc.date.pubOnline2025-02-21
dc.description.abstractThe use of diamond as a cutting tool is pervasive in modern ultra-high-precision machining applications, particularly for generating sub-micron accurate features through the Single Point Diamond Machining (SPDM) method. Beyond SPDM, diamond is also widely employed in contact profilometry (imaging), nanoindentation, nanoimpact, nanoscratching, and lithography applications. Interestingly, a particular type of diamond, commonly used in what the fabrication industry calls “supertools,” consistently demonstrates a lifespan up to 300% longer than that of standard diamond tools. Despite this remarkable performance, the reasons behind the enhanced durability of these unique diamond tools have remained unclear. This paper provides the first experimental explanation for the exceptional properties of these “supertools”. Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), we establish that such diamond possess higher overall concentration of nitrogen, particularly Defect Type A (type IaA) and Defect Type C (type Ib). Counterintuitively, they also exhibit lower residual stresses, as revealed through cross-polar examination. Moreover, the diamond tip misalignment error, estimated using Laue backscattering analysis, was found to be insignificant in governing the tool wear resistance. These findings suggest that the wear resistance of natural diamonds can be predicted by screening for high levels of nitrogen defects (combination of Type A and Type C). This insight offers valuable potential for selecting superior diamonds for high-value manufacturing.
dc.description.journalNameDiamond and Related Materials
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work was carried out under Cranfield's IMRC #122. SG acknowledges the financial support provided by the UKRI via Grant No. EP/T024607/1. GLWC acknowledges the financial support by Research Ireland via Grant No. SFI 20/US/3681 and the HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDEROPEN-01 No. 101046693, SSLiP project funded by the European Union.
dc.identifier.citationDurazo-Cardenas IS, Goel S, Shore P, et al., (2025) High-performance diamond “Supertools” with extreme tool-life. Diamond and Related Materials, Volume 154, Article number 112122
dc.identifier.elementsID564912
dc.identifier.issn0925-9635
dc.identifier.paperNo112122
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2025.112122
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/23551
dc.identifier.volumeNo154
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.publisher.urihttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925963525001797?via%3Dihub
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 Internationalen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subject4014 Manufacturing Engineering
dc.subject40 Engineering
dc.subjectApplied Physics
dc.subject4016 Materials engineering
dc.subject4018 Nanotechnology
dc.subject5104 Condensed matter physics
dc.subjectDiamond tools
dc.subjectWear
dc.subjectCutting tools
dc.subjectSilicon
dc.subjectDiamond machining
dc.titleHigh-performance diamond “Supertools” with extreme tool-life
dc.typeArticle
dcterms.dateAccepted2025-02-15

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