Examination of the material properties and performance of thin-diamond film cutting tool inserts produced by arc-jet and hot filament chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Thin diamond film coated WC-Co cutting tool inserts were produced using arc-jet and hot-filament chemical vapor deposition. The diamond films were characterized using SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy to examine crystal structure, fracture mode, thickness, crystalline orientation, diamond quality, and residual stress. The performance of the tools was evaluated by comparing the wear resistance of the materials to brazed polycrystalline diamond-tipped cutting tool inserts (PCD) while machining A390 aluminum (18% silicon). Results from the experiments carried out in this study suggest that the wear resistance of the thin diamond films is primarily related to the grain boundary strength, crystal orientation, and the density of microdefects in the diamond film.