Title: Enhancement of industrial diamond strength by plasma treatment

Authors: Z.Y. Wang; V.C. Venkatesh; Andrew T. Wang

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA ' Simple Technology, Inc., Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Abstract: Improvement of diamond strength by implanting hydrogen and/or helium ions into them without change in lattice structure, size or shape as proved by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM is reported. Roll crushing strength is used as a criterion for assessing the beneficial development and is determined by a device based on lapping kinematics with application of compression loads that crush abrasives into pieces. A 12-33% improvement in crushing strength has been obtained after extensive studies. Hydrogen plasma performs better than helium and helium + hydrogen ions resulting in an increase in the diamond life cycle that reduces product manufacturing cost.

Keywords: diamond abrasives; roll crushing strength; plasma treatment; hydrogen implantation; helium implantation; industrial diamond strength; lapping kinematics; compression loads; manufacturing cost reduction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTECH.2016.074184

International Journal of Precision Technology, 2016 Vol.6 No.1, pp.1 - 16

Received: 09 May 2015
Accepted: 01 Aug 2015
Published online: 14 Jan 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article