Defectiveness of Low Strength Synthetic Diamond Grains: Negative and Positive Aspects in Case of Using Them in a Grinding Tool

Abstract Low strength synthetic diamonds of the AS6–AS32 series used for diamond grinding processes are characterized by increased roughness and porosity, and the presence of impurities and inclusions. The article provides specific quantitative parameters of the above characteristics and shows how they affect the physical and mechanical properties of diamond. The possibilities of application of such defective synthetic diamonds of low strength are considered. It has been proven that their defectiveness can be a positive characteristic in the case of application in a grinding tool, since the presence of impurities and inclusions in diamonds together with their natural porosity can improve the strength index after additional heat treatment and increase the retention of grains in the binding material of the grinding wheel. Boundary conditions for the strength index of diamond grains are determined for the case when the presence of defects is a positive characteristic. The defect parameters of diamond grains in the event of changing their strength index are given and it is shown which type of defect can increase the performance of diamond wheels.