Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Iron and Copper Based Powders for Diamond Tools

摘要

With the aim to propose alternative solutions to cobalt as a metallic matrix of diamond tools, a new copper and iron based powder mixture has been developed. Some green specimens have been sintered in a dilatometer, to study dimensional behaviour and to identify the most proper sintering temperature. Other preliminary tests have been carried out on the diamond-metallic powder mixture to study the metal-diamond interaction which influences the interface bonding and, at the same time, may cause diamond deterioration. Samples were sintered at the selected temperature and characterized in terms of mechanical properties and wear behaviour. It was seen that the simple Fe-Cu mixture cannot fulfil the requisites to become a valid substitute of Co, but it needs to be reinforced by the addition of a harder powder.