Metallographic Polycrystalline Diamond Polishing Information
Introduction
Polycrystalline diamond as compared to synthetic and natural monocrystalline diamond provides better surface finishes and higher removal rates for metallographic specimen preparation. The features and advantages of polycrystalline diamond include the following:
- Higher cutting rates
- Very uniform surface finish
- More uniform particle size distribution
- Higher removal rates (self sharpening abrasives)
- Harder/tougher particles
- Blocky shaped
- Hexagonal microcrystallites (equally hard in all directions)
- Extremely rough surface (more cutting points)
- Surface area 300% greater than monocrystalline diamond
- No abrasion-resistant directionality (abrasion independent of particle orientation)
Diamond Abrasive Selection Guidelines
| Metal | Rough Polishing (Diamond) | Final Polishing (oxide) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abrasive size | 9 um | 6 um | 3 um | 1 um | Al2O3 | SiO2 |
| Aluminum | ||||||
| Copper/ brass |
||||||
| Stainless steel | ||||||
| Soft steel | ||||||
| Hard steel | ||||||
| Tool steel | ||||||
| Titanium | ||||||
| Zinc, tin, lead | ||||||
| Ceramic/ Composite | Coarse Grind |
Fine Grind | Rough Polish | Fine Polish | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond size | 30 um | 15 um | 9 um | 6 um | 3 um | 1um + SiO2 |
| Alumina | ||||||
| Silicon nitride | ||||||
| Polymer composite | ||||||
| Metal matrix composite | ||||||
| Ceramic matrix composite | ||||||
| Cermet | ||||||
Recommended Application of Polycrystalline Diamond
- The most efficient application of polycrystalline diamond is to initially apply several beads of diamond and/or extender for initial pad wetting. Note that saturation of the pad is not required nor recommended. Additional dispensing is generally dripped onto the surface at a rate of 1-2 drops every 10-15 seconds depending upon the polishing speed and surface area of the samples
- For mineral and ceramic specimen preparation it is recommended that diamond and colloidal silica (SIAMAT colloidal silica) be alternately dispensed. This provides a chemomechanical polishing (CMP) action which significantly increases removal rates, reduces subsurface damage and improves surface finish. This techniques is useful for 6 micron and smaller polycrystalline diamond. For this application it is best to clean the cloth and samples for the last 15 seconds of the cycle by running water on the polishing pad surface.
Trouble Shooting Guide for Polycrystalline Diamond
| Symptom | Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Agglomerated diamond |
-Pre-mixing diamond suspension with colloidal silica -Bacterial growth in diamond suspension |
-Alternate dispensing of diamond and colloidal silica -Replace diamond |
| Coarse scratches |
-Contaminated pad -Improper selection of polishing pad |
-Replace polishing pad Review polishing pad selection guide-line or use a softer polishing pad |
Polycrystalline Diamond Product Description
Polycrystalline Diamond Suspensions (water-based)
| Description | Quantity | Low Viscosity | High Viscosity | Product Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.05 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-0105-250 GPC-0105-500 GPC-0105-1GL |
PC-0105-250 PC-0105-500 PC-0105-1GH |
 |
| 0.1 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-0110-250 GPC-0110-500 GPC-0110-1GL |
PC-0110-250 PC-0110-500 PC-0110-1GH |
 |
| 0.25 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-0125-250 GPC-0125-500 GPC-0125-1GL |
PC-0125-250 PC-0125-500 PC-0125-1GH |
 |
| 0.5 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-0150-250 GPC-0150-500 GPC-0150-1GL |
PC-0150-250 PC-0150-500 PC-0150-1GH |
 |
| 1 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-1001-250 GPC-1001-500 GPC-1001-1GL |
PC-1001-250 PC-1001-500 PC-1001-1GH |
 |
| 3 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-1003-250 GPC-1003-500 GPC-1003-1GL |
PC-1003-250 PC-1003-500 PC-1003-1GH |
 |
| 6 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-1006-250 GPC-1006-500 GPC-1006-1GL |
PC-1006-250 PC-1006-500 PC-1006-1GH |
 |
| 9 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-1009-250 GPC-1009-500 GPC-1009-1GL |
PC-1009-250 PC-1009-500 PC-1009-1GH |
 |
| 15 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-1015-250 GPC-1015-500 GPC-1015-1GL |
PC-1015-250 PC-1015-500 PC-1015-1GH |
 |
| 30 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-1030-250 GPC-1030-500 GPC-1030-1GL |
PC-1030-250 PC-1030-500 PC-1030-1GH |
 |
| 45 micron DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond | 250 ml 500 ml 1 gallon |
GPC-1045-250 GPC-1045-500 GPC-1045-1GL |
PC-1045-250 PC-1045-500 PC-1045-1GH |
 |
Polycrystalline Diamond Suspension - Dyed
| Description | Quantity | Catalog Number | Product Image |
|---|---|---|---|
1 micron (blue) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 liter | PC-1001-1L |  |
1 micron (blue) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 gallon | PC-1001-1GLB | |
3 micron (green) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 liter | PC-1003-1L |  |
3 micron (green) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 gallon | PC-1003-1GLG | |
6 micron (yellow) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 liter | PC-1006-1L |  |
6 micron (yellow) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 gallonr | PC-1006-1GLY | |
9 micron (red) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 liter | PC-1009-1L |  |
9 micron (red) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 gallon | PC-1009-1GLR | |
15 micron (brown) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 liter | PC-1015-1L |  |
15 micron (brown) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 gallon | PC-1015-1GLBR | |
30 micron (orange) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 liter | PC-1030-1L |  |
|
1 gallon | PC-1030-1GLO | |
|
1 liter | PC-1045-1L |  |
45 micron (purple) DIAMAT PC Diamond Suspension |
1 gallon | PC-1045-1GLP |
Polycrystalline Diamond Paste
| Description | Quantity | Catalog Number | Product Image |
|---|---|---|---|
|
DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond paste (0.1-micron) |
5 gm 20 gm |
PC-0210-05 PC-0210-20 |
 |
| DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond paste (0.25-micron) |
5 gm 20 gm |
PC-0225-05 PC-0225-20 |
 |
| DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond paste (0.50-micron) |
5 gm 20 gm |
PC-0250-05 PC-0250-20 |
 |
| DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond paste (1-micron) |
5 gm 20 gm |
PC-2001-05 PC-2001-20 |
 |
| DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond paste (3-micron) |
5 gm 20 gm |
PC-2003-05 PC-2003-20 |
 |
| DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond paste (6-micron) |
5 gm 20 gm |
PC-2006-05 PC-2006-20 |
 |
| DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond paste (9-micron) |
5 gm 20 gm |
PC-2009-05 PC-2009-20 |
 |
| DIAMAT Polycrystalline diamond paste (15-micron) |
5 gm 20 gm |
PC-2015-05 PC-2015-20 |
 |
DIAMAT Polycrystalline |
5 gm |
PC-2030-05 |
 |
DIAMAT Polycrystalline |
5 gm |
PC-2045-05 |
 |
Diamond Extenders (lubricants)
| Description | Quantity | Catalog Number | Product Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIALUBE diamond extender | 16 oz (0.125l) 32 oz (0.24l) 1 gallon (3.8l) |
DL-3000-16 DL-3000-32 DL-3000-128 |
 |
| DIALUBE Blue Alcohol lubricant | 16 oz (0.125l) 32 oz (0.24l) 1 gallon (3.8l) |
AOD-3000-16 AOD-3000-32 AOD-3000-128 |
|
| DIALUBE Purple Alcohol lubricant | 16 oz (0.125l) 32 oz (0.24l) 1 gallon (3.8l) |
ADL-3000-16 ADL-3000-32 ADL-3000-128 |
|
| POLYLUBE non-aqueous diamond extender | 16 oz (0.125l) 32 oz (0.24l) 1 gallon (3.8l) |
PDL-3000-16 PDL-3000-32 PDL-3000-128 |
|
| POLYLUBE red (anti-corrosion) lube | 16 oz (0.125l) 32 oz (0.24l) 1 gallon (3.8l) |
PDL-3000R-16 PDL-3000R-32 PDL-3000R-128 |
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