ABSTRACT
The use of diamond cutting tools has increased in impor tance as tighter tolerances and greater surface integrities are required for high-value components. Ultraprecision cutting tools need to be hard and sharp and to have enhanced thermal properties in order to maintain their size and shape while cut ting. Advantages offered by diamond include:
Crystalline structure, which enables very sharp cutting edges to be produced,
High thermal conductivity, the highest of any materials at room temperature,
Ability to retain high strength at high temperatures, High elastic and shear moduli, which reduce deformation
during machining.
