Resistance to Abrasive Wear of Materials Used as Metallic Matrices in Diamond Impregnated Tools

Abstract

Metal-bonded diamond impregnated tools are being increasingly used in the processing of natural stone, sawing and drilling concrete and brickwork, road repair, petroleum exploration, production of ceramics, cutting frozen foods, etc. Although the main tool wear mechanisms seem to be well identified, the scientific background is still inadequate and extensive fundamental research has to be carried out to better understand how the tool performs in actual applications. This work attempts to address the complex issues of modelling the abrasive wear of the metallic matrix under laboratory conditions. In view of the generated wear data, it becomes evident that a comprehensive characterisation of the matrix’s susceptibility to wear by 2-body and 3-body abrasion can be reliably assessed in a quick and inexpensive manner; whereas tests carried out on diamond impregnated specimens may assist in the prediction of the tool life in abrasive applications.