Friction of diamond, syndite and amborite sliding on various alloys

Abstract

This study describes the movement of styli of diamond, Syndite and Amborite (products of De Beers Industrial Diamond Division, Charters, UK) back and forth across a range of substrate materials and the coefficients of friction recorded. Syndite and Amborite are products made by heating polycrystalline diamond or cubic boron nitride at high pressure in the presence of suitable metallic binders. Diamond, Syndite and Amborite all have applications in machining, wire drawing, turning etc., though the relative performance depends on the material being worked. Results for a range of metals and alloys are discussed. It is shown that the trends found in machining practice are also reflected in the frictional properties. Although the loads and speeds are much lower in the friction experiments, it appears that monitoring the friction for repeated traversais does give important information and allows a more controlled study of the processes occurring between the stylus and work-piece such as film transfer, the effect of lubricants etc.