New Nanocrystalline Matrix Materials for Sintered Diamond Tools

Abstract

The work presents the possibility of substitution of expensive, wear resistant Co-WC powders, that have been traditionally used in the production of sintered diamond tools, with cheap iron-base counterparts manufactured by ball milling. It has been shown that ball-milled Fe-Ni-Cu-Sn-C powders can be consolidated to a virtually pore-free condition by hot pressing at 900 ℃. The as-consolidated material has nanocrystalline structure and is characterised by a combination of high hardness, mechanical strength and excellent resistance to abrasion. Its properties can be widely modified by changing the milling conditions.