Single-Crystal Cutting Tool Blanks
SCD blanks with a grain-boundary-free edge, for ultra-precision and mirror-finish machining.
Single-crystal diamond cutting tools (SCD) have edges of single-crystal diamond, free of grain boundaries and pores, giving an edge precision and a cutting performance that polycrystalline (PCD) tooling cannot match. They are the primary tool in ultra-precision machining, reaching very low surface roughness and mirror-like finishes.
Two grades are offered as blanks, an ultra-precision grade and a conventional industrial grade. The table below gives both.
- Exceptional edge precision
- Ultra-high hardness
- Uniform wear resistance and long service life
- Extremely low coefficient of friction and cutting resistance
- Excellent chemical stability and anti-adhesion properties
Specifications
| Property | Ultra-precision | Conventional (industrial grade) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | 90 – 100 GPa | 50 – 70 GPa |
| Flank roughness Ra | < 5 nm | 20 – 100 nm |
| Coefficient of friction | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Elastic modulus | 1050 GPa | 1050 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity at 300 K | > 1800 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ | > 1800 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Thermal expansion coefficient at 300 K | 1.0 ± 0.1 ppm·K⁻¹ | 1.0 ± 0.1 ppm·K⁻¹ |
| Surface roughness Ra | < 10 nm | < 10 nm |
| Reference sizes | ≤ 3.0 × 3.0 mm (customisable) | ≤ 3.0 × 3.0 mm (customisable) |
| Thickness | 0.3 – 3.0 mm (customisable) | 0.3 – 3.0 mm (customisable) |
| Appearance quality | Cutting edge free of chipping, cracks and other defects | Cutting edge free of chipping, cracks and other defects |
Reference values from the producer datasheet. Dimensions marked customisable are set per order. Request a quote to have a specification confirmed against your drawing.
Applications
SCD blanks are ground into the tool geometry the job needs and used wherever the finish comes off the tool rather than off a polishing step.
- Semiconductor: silicon wafer, sapphire substrate and silicon carbide device processing
- Optical: lens and prism processing, optical mould processing, infrared optical components
- Precision instruments: metrology instrument parts, micro-mechanical parts, precision watch parts
- Aerospace: titanium alloy precision parts, magnesium alloy components, composite optical components
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