All About PCD Diamonds

February 20, 2021
TTD
Knowledge

What is PCD?

PCD is a short term for Polycrystalline Diamond. PCD comes from diamond grits which are fused together in high-pressure and high-temperature condition.

Properties of PCD

PCD has a hardness value of 5,000 kgf/mm2. With this level of hardness, it comes with greater abrasion, pressure resistance than tungsten carbide.

However, PCD is not great for iron cutting because when using PCD in iron cutting, which usually is at a high temperature of 700°C or greater, it will cause “Thermal Instability” which impacts the quality of PCD in the long run. Also, it can cause PCD to be less resistant to abrasion.

PCD Overall Specification

Types:	Roughing, Finishing
Hardness:	5,000 kgf/mm2
Finishing:	Bright (Polishing)
Roughness:	1.30 µm to 0.38 µm
Remark:	Not suitable for Iron

What Are The Advantages Of Using PCD?

PCD is used for sharpening the cutting tools that can cut harder materials, which are really useful in a lot of aspects;

1. Increase Cutting Performance

With its higher hardness than any iron or tungsten carbide, PCD can be used for sharpening the cutting tools, which is usually added at the cutting edge(s) of those tools.

2. Increase Tool Life Of Cutting Tools

PCD

With its hardness, toughness and high performance in cutting, PCD tools can be used longer than other typical cutting tools, or even carbide tools.

3. Reduce Manufacturing Cost (For Massive Production)

PCD Manufacture Save Cost

For massive production of machine parts in ten-thousand or hundred-thousand pieces, PCD tools can increase cutting efficiency and tool life. They can also reduce manufacturing cost per piece in the long run.

How can we use PCD In Cutting?

PCD is used for producing great cutting tools to various fields;

1. Drilling

For drilling bits, PCD is added to the cutting edge(s) to sharpen those tools that can cut faster, and it can also increase tool life for longer usage.

2. Cutting

PCD Cutting Saw Blade

As well as drilling bits, PCD is added to the cutting edge(s) of cutting blades to make cutting easier and smoother. PCD also can make cutting blades harder, so they can cut harder materials such as iron.

3. Turning

PCD can be used for making PCD inserts and bites for turning. However, PCD doesn’t work well with iron when turning, so you need to check what materials of your workpiece are in order to choose the right material for inserts and bites. If you are working with iron turning, CBN is more suitable than PCD.

4. Milling

As well as other cutting applications, PCD is used for sharpening the cutting edges for milling, and also increasing tool life of these milling tools.

Conclusion

PCD is the synthesis diamond with high hardness and very useful for cutting tools. It can be used to produce high quality cutting tools for various applications. Also, It can increase tool life and reduce manufacturing cost. Top Tech Diamond Tools provide cutting tools manufacturing service from PCD to maximize the cutting performance, and satisfy customer’s satisfaction in every aspect you need.