Theoretical Strength and Cleavage of Diamond

The theoretical strength of diamond has been calculated for the <100>, <110>, and <111> directions using a first principles approach and is found to be strongly dependent on crystallographic direction. This elastic anisotropy, found at large strains, and particularly the pronounced minimum in cohesion in the <111> direction, is believed to be the reason for the remarkable dominance of the 111 cleavage plane when diamond is fractured. The extra energy required to cleave a crystal on planes other than 111 is discussed with reference to simple surface energy calculations and also the introduction of bond-bending terms.