Diamond machining tools are unparalleled for strength and durability. Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring material on earth, which makes it an incredible tool for industrial CNC machining. For cutting, machining and routing of wood, or composite materials.
But several options are available for diamond tooling, so how can you know which offers the best results? Let’s take a look at some of the properties and features of each type of diamond tool.
Polycrystalline Diamond
Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools are created using diamond that has gone through a process known as sintering. PCD is the same crystalline structure that is left after the CVD process. But the binding is done very differently. With CVD the diamond is coated onto the tool in a powdery form. The tool is then put under extreme heat and pressure to make the diamond particles fuse together without merging into one amorphous form. Cobalt solvent is used to aid the fusing process. Which can create a layer of PCD between .01 and .03 inches thick.
PCD tipped end mills are the hardest available at present. The increased thickness and added durability of brazed PCD tips gives PCD tools the edge when it comes to maintaining sharpness. This unparalleled strength and durability is why, here at Prima Tooling, all of our diamond-tipped milling cutters are crafted from non-other than PCD.
Amorphous Diamond Coating
Amorphous Diamond Coating (ADC) is created through a process called physical vapour deposition (PVD). During PVD diamond-like carbon (DLC) is coated onto a tool or end mill through a process of evaporation. Allowing the DLC coating to condense onto the desired tool. This produces a monolayer of DLC between 0.5 and 2.3 microns thick. With the lowest overall thickness, strength, and durability of the diamond coatings.
Chemical Vapour Deposition
Chemical vapour deposition (CVD) is a much lengthier process than PVD. But produces multiple layers of synthetic diamond coating onto the tool. During CVD, hydrocarbons are deposited onto the desired surface. With the hydrogen particles then disassociated and removed, leaving only the carbon. Under the right pressure and temperature this leaves a 99% pure diamond matrix between 8 and 10 microns thick. However, if the conditions aren’t perfect the tool could end up being simply coated in graphite.