Abstract
Single-phase (binder-less) nano-polycrystalline diamond synthesized by direct conversion of graphite under high pressure and high temperature has a very fine texture consisting of small diamond grains (several tens of nanometers in size), having extremely high hardness, no cleavage and high thermal stability. In order to clarify its potentiality for industrial uses in high-precision cutting tools, the mechanical properties of nano-polycrystalline diamond were systematically investigated. The basic performance tests for cutting tools were also evaluated. These results revealed that the nano-polycrystalline diamond has an extremely high potential for high-precision cutting tools.
