68/2012 - Studies of bronze addition effects to partially alloyed iron based powders
by J. Karwan-Baczewska, Z. Brytan, M. Actis Grande, M. Rosso
AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland
Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

The influence of bronze addition on the properties and microstructure of partially alloyed iron powders Fe-1.5%Mo and Fe-2%Ni-1.5%Mo were investigated. The partially alloyed iron powders were mixed with B10 bronze powder in amount from 0.5 to 4.0%. Samples then were compacted at 600 MPa and sintered at 1120 and 1150°C for 30 minutes in hydrogen, while a further series of samples, additionally mixed with about 0.6%C, were sintered at 1240°C for 60 minutes, in a vacuum furnace with argon backfilling atmosphere and rapid cooled from sintering temperature with the average cooling rate of 5°C/s. The mechanical properties such as density, hardness and impact resistance as well as microstructure of studied materials were investigated. It has been demonstrated that the increasing of the bronze content in the mixture of partially alloyed powders reduces their density what results from the sintering with excess of liquid phase. The higher bronze content in studied compositions favours swelling on sintering. The mechanical properties such as hardness and impact resistance depend on the content of added CuSn powder. The hardness increase and impact resistance decreases as the content of CuSn bronze powder increases from 0 to 4%.

68/2012 - Evaluation of stress and strain fields in the matrix around loaded diamond particle in diamond impregnated tools
Andrzej Romanski, Janusz Konstanty
AGH-University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland

In diamond impregnated tools the effective use of diamond grits depends to a large extent on the capability of the matrix to firmly hold the diamond crystals. The strength of bonding results from the crystal shape, matrix properties and diamond-matrix interface conditions. In order to evaluate the effect of the individual parameters on diamond retention of the matrix, the computer modelling technique was applied. The aim of this study was to create a computer 3-D model of a diamond particle partially embedded in a metal matrix and analyse the stress and strain fields which occur in the matrix when external load is applied to the diamond.
By changing the key parameters (mechanical properties of the matrix, friction conditions at the diamond-matrix interface, loading conditions, etc.) different variants of the model were analysed. Calculations were focused on various parameters, which could be associated with the retention properties of the matrix, e.g. energies dissipated by elastic and plastic deformations.

68/2012 - Cutting efficiency of circular diamond blade
by G. Gelfusa, S. Turchetta
Department of Mechanics, Structures and Environment, University of Cassino, Italy

Diamond tools used for natural stone machining can be classified in cutting tools, for example: wires, blades, circular blades and drills, and tools for machining the surface, such as grinders and mills of different shapes and profiles. Circular diamond blades are the predominantly used tools in the sawing process of stone. The sawing performance and life of a circular blade is affected by many factors. Some of these major factors are: diamond and matrix properties (diamond type, diamond concentration, grit size, hardness of the metal bond formulation); segment manufacturing method; sawing conditions (cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut); physico-mechanical and mineralogical properties of the stone to be cut.
This work studies the relationship among the cutting efficiency of circular diamond blades and the speed cutting for different machining conditions. In particular, the machining conditions that are most interesting by an industrial point of view have been investigated. An ornamental stone was machined on a CNC machining centre, retrofitted with a dynamometer and data acquisition systems, to investigate the effects of variations in machining parameters. The sensor data include cutting force measurements further divided into measurable components.

68/2012 - Dimension stone cutting by diamond wire saw: evaluation of the system in two marble quarries
by M. Cardu, A. Giraudi, V. Murthy
DITAG - Politecnico di Torino, Italy
CNR - IGAG, Torino, Italy
Department of Mining Engineering - Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, India

Diamond wire cutting machines have been commonly used in Italy, for dimension stones exploitation (both marble and hard rocks, such as granites and gneiss) since 1970s; their introduction has considerably affected the production rate and the efficiency of the work. Despite the worldwide spreading of this equipment, a lack of investigation to improve the working conditions and the technique efficiency is still present. A joint research between Italy and India was carried out in 2 marble quarries to compare the characteristics of the diamond wires used, through the analysis of their performance. The research had also the aim to exchange the know-how on the quarrying methods and cutting techniques: tests were carried out both on site and in laboratory, and the necessary data were collected. The sites of Carrara (Italy) and Ambaji (India) were investigated. In both quarries the mixed technique "diamond wire saw and cutting chain" is used, but research has focused mainly on the performance of the wire. The paper provides a comparison between the performance of machines and wires used in the two quarries and offers suggestions to increase service life and productivity of the system. Through the correlation of data derived from Indian and Italian samples, it has been determined that the cables used in Carrara perform better than others. This is due not only to the type of material to be cut, but also to the constitution of the wire.

68/2012 - High speed grinding wheels, ready to take off
by Franco Tagliabue

In the late 50's the first Italian manufacturers of diamond grinding wheels started an adventure - in their garage or basement - that would have brought the diamond, the fascinating gem full of intrigue, mystery and luxury, to an industrial use making possible the machining of very hard materials. None of them would have thought that these grinding wheels could compete in speed with a Formula 1 car, a high speed train or even an airplane! In the 50's even historical producers of diamond and CBN, like General Electric and De Beers, could imagine that these superabrasive, to take advantage of their features, had to run at speeds above 500 km per hour. In today's market there is a line of machines (very popular in Europe), used in hard metal grinding, that work by means of metal bond diamond wheels at high speed (up to 140 m/s). Camshafts grinding machines used in the automotive industry are able to work up to 140 m/s with vitrified and also galvanic CBN grinding wheels. Quick Point machines are a fixed point, essential in many standard machining operations, when metal and vitrified grinding wheels are used. Also pins grinding, by means of CBN centerless grinding wheel with vitrified bond, takes place at 120 m/s. Today speeds below 50 m/s are selected only in case of machining with sharpening centers and for conventional cylindrical, plane and internal grinding operations. All that is off-center or polygonal grinding is at high speed, as well as all mass-production machining (centerless, shaping with QuickPoint, etc.).

Back Issues

Diamante A&T

67/2011 - Microstructural characterization of metallic alloy 25.2%Fe - 49.5%Cu - 24.1%Co obtained by the technique of powder metallurgy
by H. Cristine Prata de Oliveira, M. Soares de Freitas, M. Filgueira
Instituto Superior Técnico - IST, Departamento de Materiais, Lisbon, Portugal
Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro (UENF), Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The present work aims at studying the metallic alloy NEXT 100® (25.2%Fe - 49.5%Cu - 24.1%Co) which is used industrially in the manufacture of diamond cutting tools.
The metallic powders were mixed and hot pressing at 800°C / 35MPa / 3 min.
Were made in the sintered X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and EDS analysis to assess the microstructure resulting of the sintering process of metallic matrix, and the effectiveness of sintering between the elements Fe, Cu and Co. The behavior was observed of the crystalline structure and its effects due to interaction between Fe and Co, occurring phase transition, resulting in CoFe solid solution, which improves the properties of the metal matrix to act as a binder in diamond tool.

67/2011 - Investigation of thermal, kinetic and hybrid spraying for the manufacturing of metal-bonded diamond abrasive coatings
by W. Tillmann, J. Nebel
TU Dortmund, Institute of Materials Engineering, Dortmund, Germany

Spraying technologies show a high economic potential for the manufacturing of diamond grinding tools. Geometric variability, atmospheric conditions, and only few production steps are some of the spraying advantages compared to complex and restrictive sintering and brazing processes. Revealing the fundamentals, potentials, and limitations of spraying processes, this paper introduces current research developments and future prospects. Investigating different thermal and kinetic spraying approaches, the main focus is based on diamond implantation and the corresponding bonding mechanisms.
Using the example of detonation sprayed diamondbronze coatings, the morphology and grinding abilities are evaluated. In a series of grinding tests the performance and endurance of the sprayed composites are compared to conventionally sintered diamond segments.

67/2011 -Characterization of diamond tools fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering and Spark Plasma Consolidation
by W. Tillmann, M. Ferreira, A. Knote, W. Theisen, P. Schütte, J. Schmidt
Institute of Materials Engineering, TU-Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
Büdiam Diamantwerkzeuge, R. und N. Büttner GmbH, Eschenburg, Germany
Chair of Materials Engineering, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing and Advanced Materials (IFAM)

The cutting and grinding of natural stone and concrete place high demands on the utilized machining tools. Therefore, high abrasive materials such as diamonds, which are embedded in a metal matrix, are the best choice for this sector. These composite materials are basically fabricated powder metallurgically. The commonly used sintering procedures involve techniques like vacuum sintering and hot pressing.
While these processes are well established and understood, the main disadvantage is the long process time, especially in vacuum sintering, a process which demands previous cold pressing of the diamond metal powders. In order to reduce the sintering time for the diamond tool industry and to enhance the productivity in the fabrication route, new current induced short time sintering procedures are developed.
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), a process during which a high-pulsed dc-current is directly sent through the powder, is investigated at the IFAM Dresden and is already a well understood technique. Due to this special engineering system, heating rates up to 100°C/min are possible.
Spark Plasma Consolidation (SPC), which is also called Electro Discharge Sintering (EDS), offers a newer and significantly faster way of sintering. The unique construction of the pressing tools of the SPC-facility, which is operated at the Chair of Materials Engineering, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, provides the means to send a single electrical shockwave of approximately 100 kA/cm² through the diamond-metal powder.
This extremely high current density results in a partial melting of the particle surface and in a sintering time of a few milliseconds.

67/2011 - Design of a new cutting configuration to optimize the cutting operations of chain saw machines in quarries
by Dr Ir Fabrice Dagrain, Patrick Marchandise, Sébastian Desmette
University of Mons, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mons, Belgium
PMDS sa, Nivelles, Belgium
NETS sa, Mons, Belgium

The design of cutting tools is more and more done by use of numerical methods (finite elements method for example for metal cutting, discrete elements methods in granular materials) which makes it possible to simulate the destruction mechanisms of materials, or by use of design softwares which integrate phenomenological cutting models.
The drilling tools manufacturers for petroleum engineering are doubtless with the point of technology in the design for applications in rock drilling. The major part of them developed their own design software which makes it possible to balance the tools while exploiting the geometrical parameters of all the inserts of a tool, inserts taken independently from each other. The computing power of the current computers makes it possible to refine the design of tools of sometimes complex form. This principle of design was adapted to dimension in an optimal way a new configuration of cutting tools with an aim of optimizing the operation of the chain saw machines in quarries.

66/2011 - Novel Rapid Discharge Sintering Technique for Damage Free Diamond MMCs
by Aidan Breen, Greg Byrne, Barry Twomey and Denis Dowling
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

This study compares the performance of metal matrix composites (MMC) sintered using a novel microwave plasma processing technique called Rapid Discharge Sintering (RDS) and conventional tube furnace sintering. The MMC composites were prepared from nickeldiamond powder mixtures containing 1 µm nickel and 6-12 µm diamond powders. These mixtures were pressed uni-axially at compaction pressures of 300 MPa. The samples were sintered using both the furnace and RDS treatments at temperatures between 850 and 1050°C. The tube furnace sintering study was carried out in argon gas at atmospheric pressure. The RDS treatments were carried out at 20 mbar in plasmas containing hydrogen or hydrogen/nitrogen gases. The addition of nitrogen gas to the hydrogen plasma facilitated a substantial increase in composite firing temperatures. The sintered nickel-diamond composites were characterised based on density measurements, flexural strength, SEM and XRD, analysis. A significantly reduction in sintering times were achieved using the RDS technique for which firing process takes 10 minutes, compared with several hours for the tube furnace treatments. A further advantage of the RDS treatments was the absence of any peaks in the XRD spectrum of the sintered composites associated with diamond graphitization. These peaks were observed for the furnace treated composites indicating some graphitization of the diamond during the sintering process.

66/2011 - Understanding stone cutting mechanisms for the design of new cutting tools sequences and the cutting optimization of chain saw machines in Belgian Blue Stone quarries
by Dr Ir Fabrice Dagrain, University of Mons, Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mons, Belgium

Although the sawing techniques have been particularly improved these 40 last years, there still exist problems to saw hard and/or abrasive stones. The main problems encountered in this type of materials are the low productivity, the high consumption of cutting tools and finally the high production costs. The research undergone at University of Mons in 2008 in collaboration with the company PMDS has been conducted to understand the main problems encountered while sawing hard limestones and to propose technical solutions to increase the competitiveness of the sawing machines in quarries. The main objectives of the research were the following:
1) Increasing the machines performances to reach higher productivity in hard limestones.
2) Increasing the lifespan of the cutting tools to reduce the maintenance costs of the chain saw machines.
This study includes four combined approaches:
1. The study of the cutting mechanisms in the "Petit Granit" from Soignies;
2. The design of a new cutting configuration for the chain;
3. The instrumentation of the machines in quarry to record the cutting performances on site;
4. The comparative study of the production costs of various cutting configurations.
It is important to make known that the suggested study is not current at all in this field, and that no scientific publication forever approached the study of stone cutting in quarry in this manner.

66/2011 - The steel mould in the processing cycle of the diamond segments: how to reduce the incidence of cost on the unit manufactured
by Pier Francesco Fiorentini, IMAS Stampi Sas

In this report we will discuss the cold pressing phase, trying above all to describe and analyse the criteria that must be followed for designing and manufacturing a technically sound, operational and cost efficient steel mould, thus omitting for the time being an analyse also of the other three conditions that define a successful outcome of the cold pressing of powders, and that is:
- the position of the segment on the mould with respect to the direction of the pressing;
- the geometric dimensions of the pre-moulded segment;
- the correct distribution of the powder in the mould, which is achieved by making sure of properly positioning the powders loading hoppers on the press.

65/2011 - Consolidation of the rapidly solidified high speed steel powders by electric discharge sintering
by E.G. Grigoryev, Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia

The consolidation of high density and high strength structure of powder high-speed steel is investigated and optimal operating parameters are defined. The rapidly solidified high-speed steel powder was consolidated by the electric discharge sintering. It was found that the density and strength of powder high-speed steel essentially depends from high voltage electrical discharge parameters and applied mechanical pressure. Powder particles of high-speed steel are redistributed in the compact volume due to magnetic pressure of discharge current pulse and the external mechanical pressure. The distribution of magnetic pressure is defined by the distribution of a current density in the powder compact. The powder densification process has wave nature in the electric discharge sintering. Joint influence of external mechanical and magnetic pressure forms some different zones with cumulative collapse of pores in volume of consolidated material. We determined the dimensionless criteria defining parameters of cumulative collapse of pores during the electric discharge sintering.

65/2011 - Effect of the Interfacial Phases on the Mechanical Properties of Al/SiC(Ni)p Composites
by Judit Pázmán, Viktor Madai, József Tóth, Zoltán Gácsi

In the production of powder metallurgical composites two solid phases are pressed by the mechanical stress, then the green is sintered. So the interface developed between the matrix and the reinforcing phase is not good enough. From the aim of its correction the surface of the reinforcing particles must be modified. In that case, if the particles are electroless nickel plated, the matrix will contact with the nickel layer, not the ceramic particles. Consequently the stronger interface develops, but the nickel layer and the matrix react together, so the intermetallic compound forms on the interface. This intermetallic compound has an effect on the mechanical properties of the composite. In our research the effect on the mechanical properties and distribution of the intermetallic compound was investigated. The analysis was carried out by XPS, XRD, SEM, TEM.

65/2011 - Integrity and Wear of Diamond Composite Coated Carbide Tools
by JN Boland, X.S. LI, R. Rassool, S. Elbracht, C. MacRae e N. Wilson

The wear performance of thick (~0.5 - 0.8 mm), diamond composite coated carbide tooling is assessed. Using a novel, but innovatively designed wear testing rig, the relative wear resistance of a range of diamond coated carbide tools is measured. The micro- and macrostructures of the coatings and especially the carbide-diamond composite interfacial regions are assessed using x-ray imaging as well as scanning electron microscopy. An assessment of tool performance is made by correlating the results of materials characterisation and wear resistance.

65/2011 - Characterization of CVD diamond coatings by nanoindentation tests
by Luca De Fazio, Franco Furgiuele

The microhardness and Young's modulus of a CVD diamond film were determined from load-penetration depth curves obtained by nanoindentation technique. To evaluate the effects of coating thickness and maximum applied load on hardness and elastic modulus, tests were carried out for two different load levels at a constant loading rate. Samples with different thickness were tested. Values of hardness and elastic modulus are comparable to those reported in literature.

64/2011 - Spark plasma sintering of diamond impregnated wire saw beads
by J. Schmidt, A. Knote, M. Armbrüster, Th. Weißgärber, B. Kieback

Diamond Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are widely used for the cutting of stone and concrete. An effective way of cutting large sized parts is to use wire saws which have hundreds or thousands of small beads on a flexible wire. Typically, these diamond impregnated MMC beads were conventionally sintered by vacuum sintering, pressure sintering or sintering in continuous furnaces. In the present study, the spark plasma sintering of Diamond/MMCs with Co-free Steel/Cu matrix composition was investigated. The results of the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of short time sintered beads are compared with conventional sintering. The focus of the study is on the interaction between matrix metals and diamond, as well as on the design of the multi-part pressing tools for net shape sintering.

64/2011 - Technical notes for the use of diamond wire on multi-wire machines
by Osvaldo Cai

Data used for this analysis are referred to the sawing of thirty different granite blocks by means of a multi-wire machine equipped with 32 diamond wires. The types of granite can be divided into three main classes, namely: 45% 1 class; 10% 2 class; 45% 3 class. My personal belief is that the diamond wires should not be classified only according to the material that must be cut but also depending on the machine that will employ them. I know that many do not think like me, but no common snow tires will be used on....a grand prix Ferrari! It would not even let it driven by a bus driver, even if he is clever for driving his bus.

64/2011 - Cutting force in stone lapping by sintered diamond wheel
by S. Turchetta

Stone lapping is carried out by means of sintered diamond wheel. The present work shows empirical models to foresee the cutting forces developed during stone lapping. The developed empirical model puts into relationship the cutting force and energy and the relevant cutting parameters, such as the depth of cut and the feed rate, for the stone marble known as Coreno Perlato. The cutting force and energy has been modelled as a function of material removal rate (MRR) by simple and general linear function. The models can be used to guide the selection of cutting conditions. The chip generation and removal process has been quantified with the intention of assisting both the toolmaker and the stonemason in optimizing the tool composition and cutting process parameters, respectively.

64/2011 - Mechanical properties of the hot pressed Cu-25%wtFe-25%wtCo alloy
by Hellen Cristine Prata de Oliveira, Stênio Cavalier Cabral, Renan Silva Guimarães, Mariana Soares de Freitas, Marcello Filgueira

Most of the alloys used as bonding matrix in diamond tools show a high content of cobalt - which is undesirable due to a series of reasons. In the last decade, some attempts were made towards the reduction of the Co content in these alloys. NEXT®100 alloy (50wt%Cu-25wt%Fe-25wt%Co) by Eurotungstene is an example of it. This study aims to characterize some mechanical properties of the NEXT 100® - this is a commercial alloy widely used as bonding matrix for diamonds in cutting tools, and the information about its properties are scarce in the literature. The metallic powders were hot pressed in a graphite matrix at 35 MPa/800°C/3 minutes. In these sintered samples, it was made wear resistance and hardness HRB tests. Densification and compression test were performed. It was determined that the NEXT® 100 alloy obtained by hot pressed has good mechanical properties and high densification.

64/2011 - Contrast test on several brands of diamonds
by Fang Xiaohu, Liu Yibo, Wen Jianjie

This paper studies the contrast test on several brands of diamonds: GEMS Superabrasives (short as GEMS) as well as Company D and Company E (respectively short as D and E); sizes 30/40 and 40/50. The test is conducted in an all-around way, firstly all the following parameters of diamonds are compared: crystalline shape, transparency, roughness, TI, TTI, SFS and Magnetic susceptibility, and so on. Secondly the test specimens are made into 230 mm diameter saw blades, and used to cut 50 mm thick concrete blocks. The diamonds'performances during and after the cutting, are evaluated. The test results show that the diamonds of GEMS Co. and Co. D and Co. E have the same brilliant performance. GEMS GSD9970 40/50 is even better than the brands D and E.

63/2010 - Comparison of different metal matrix systems for diamond tools fabricated by new current induced short-time sintering processes
by W. Tillmann, C. Kronholz, M. Ferreira, A. Knote, W. Theisen, P. Schütte, J. Schmidt

The new current induced sintering techniques like Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) and Spark Plasma Consolidation (SPC) offer the possibility to fabricate diamond tools for the machining of mineral materials and concrete within a process time of several minutes down to a few milliseconds. First efforts in the fast sintering process of steel-copper diamond composites showed a very good compactibility of the powders. In this paper the sintering behavior (SPS and SPC) of new alternative metal matrix components in combination with coated diamonds shall be analyzed. In this case it is the intention to vary the grain size of the metal powder to increase the sintering activity. To achieve the formation of a chemical bonding between diamond and metal within shorter process times, the usage of a carbide-forming metal coating on the diamonds, especially in combination with a non-reactive metal matrix should be enforced.....

63/2010 - Novel iron-base nickel containing PM alloys for the manufacture of diamond-impregnated tools
by Janusz Konstanty, Thomas F. Stephenson

The main objective of the present work was to determine the effect of powder composition on microstructure and properties of iron-base materials used as matrices in diamond impregnated tools. Various mixtures of carbonyl iron, carbonyl nickel and prealloyed bronze powders were consolidated to a virtually pore-free condition by hot pressing at between 850 and 900°C. The specimens were then subjected to density measurements and tested for hardness, bending properties and resistance to abrasive wear. Their structure was examined by light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the as-consolidated condition the investigated materials showed a fine-grained microstructure and contained a high volume fraction of metastable austenite. As a result they exhibited high hardness, yield strength and excellent resistance to abrasion, thus becoming good candidates to substitute cobalt in various diamond tool applications.....

63/2010 - A study of the use of encapsulated diamond in saw-blades for the cutting of stone
by David Egan, Cormac Lee, Seamus Melody - Element Six Ltd.

Encapsulation of diamond is a process where all of the metal matrix material used to produce the tool is built up as a layer surrounding individual diamond particles before forming and sintering. Tools manufactured with encapsulated diamond exhibit excellent diamond distribution. This eliminates clustering therefore reducing unnecessary loss of diamond particles. The technology also offers the freedom to precisely control the composition of discrete layers within the encapsulated pellet. This work investigates how novel segment designs, manufactured using encapsulated diamond, influence the performance of the saw-blade. A comparison of standard encapsulated diamond saw-blades to those incorporating an inner zone of higher wear resistance is made. Also, a blade with a novel layered segment structure manufactured using standard encapsulated diamond was tested. While testing, the wear on the blade and the power drawn were monitored. It was shown that the hardzone concept resulted in an increase in blade-life and that using the layered segments produced a much more free-cutting blade.....

62/2010 - Fabrication of complex shaped diamond beads for multiwire frames via powder injection moulding
by L. Risso*, B. Vicenzi*, S. Bernieri*
*MIM Italia Srl, ** Diamond Pauber Srl

The paper describes the fabrication and testing of a new bead for multiwire frames, using the powder injection moulding process as a way to innovate traditional shapes in order to reduce fabrication costs and improve performance. This route and the new bead have been developed and patented as the former allows the production of complex shapes at a negligible fraction of the costs necessary to produce the same part with the traditional routes, and the latter can double the duration of a whole set of wires in a multiwire frame.

1. Background
The fabrication of diamond based tools for stone cutting is commonly performed by means of hot pressing, both uniaxially and isostatically, but more and more often by means of the press-and-sinter route. In the former processes the densification of the powders is aided by a pressure applied by a graphite ram or by an inert gas; on the contrary, in the press-and-sinter process densification occurs at low pressure (or vacuum) only because of the effect of temperature. In all cases a preforming of the green part by means of uniaxial cold pressing is required. In the last years, the pressing of the green parts has very much improved because of the increasing popularity of granulating techniques, that determined a real benefit in the duration of the mould, the productivity, and homogeneity of the metallurgical structure of the tools. The limit of uniaxial pressing lays in the impossibility of moulding more complex shapes. In the present work we describe how it was possible to overtake this limitation and obtain intricate geometries for a diamond tool. A new family of diamond tools, like, for instance, a bead with a double bulge profile or another with a helical groove on the outer surface, has been fabricated and commercialised over the last few years....

62/2010 - Technical notes for the production of beads for multiwire sawing machines
by O. Cai

When producing diamond beads with the free-sintering system, especially if the beads are small in size, some factors should be taken into account:
1) If a new binder is used it is essential to know all the chemical and physical characteristics with confidence and perform tests of moulding and sintering to determine the shrinkage factors and then the die size.
2) Always checking the bulk density of the granulate.
3) Make sure that the mixture to be pressed has a particle size composition such that there are not too large granules (which inhibit the mould filling) and the percentage of the "end" does not exceed 25% by weight of the entire mixture.
4) Assume a coefficient of weight reduction (WEIGHT COEFFICIENT) aligned so that, to get the height of the bead at the green, a specific pressure of 3500 kg/cm2 should not be exceeded.
5) Checking that the density at the green of the bead is between 55% and 65% of the final theoretical one.
6) Replace the mould at a cold condition when its dimensions, due to wear, are differentiated 10% from the original ones.....

62/2010 - Improving the functional performance of surgical steel scalpels coated with DLC and with WC/C - Part I
by R. Groppetti, F. Spocci
University of Parma, Department of Industrial Engineering

The disposable surgical scalpel made of martensitic stainless steel sharpened after quenching, have a number of advantages so that this product rules the market in years. A disposable scalpel is convenient as it can reduce maintenance costs of a scalpel, avoiding the need for regrinding before any new use, and at the same time avoids sterilization on the spot, because the first and only sterilization is performed at the factory after individually wrapped in sterile package composed of an aluminium laminated foil sealed by welding. Use of disposable scalpel has emerged as technological and economic solution to the technologic and economic problem to avoid sharpening and sterilization of the knife after each use. In particular, the sharpening operation is uneconomical to hospital and was virtually eliminated by using pre-sharpened scalpels. The sterilization operation is currently being implemented in departments of surgery for all surgical tools and equipment for repeated use (pliers, scissors, retractors, etc.). The use of disposable pre-sharpened scalpel is therefore dictated by the need to delete regrinding operations. This prompts the need to achieve an innovative surgical scalpel that could be reused several times without the need for regrinding after each use and can easily be sterilized on the spot whenever necessary without damaging the quality of the sharpening. In fact the one hand this would reduce the amount waste of scalpel in hospital, which fall into the category of special waste and require special procedures for their disposal. Furthermore, any increased cost of the scalpel and the cost of sterilization and its management are compensated by the lower number of knife used....

62/2010 - Chemical vapour deposition synthetic diamond: materials, technology and applications - 3rd Part
by Element Six Ltd

While diamond is well known to have many extreme properties, a number of applications have only become practical with the development of CVD diamond. The first two parts of this article have covered the growth of CVD diamond, looking at diamond's mechanical properties and traditional wear applications (Diamante A&T n°60) with the second part (Diamante A&T n°61) discussing some of the newer applications of diamond, including windows and electronic devices. The following, final part reviews two further, constrasting examples of how the properties of CVD diamond can be tailored to the applications of interest, from the high purity requirements of radiation detectors, to the heavy boron doping required for electrochemical uses of chemical sensing and waste water treatment.....