Single-Crystal Diamond Tip Composition for Stable Wear Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single-crystal diamond tools experience significant variations in wear rate and chipping due to inconsistencies in nitrogen impurity concentration and plane orientation, leading to inefficient tool performance and increased costs in manufacturing high-quality workpieces.

Innovation Solution

A single-crystal diamond material with a concentration of non-substitutional nitrogen atoms not exceeding 200 ppm and a lower concentration of substitutional nitrogen atoms, combined with a crystal growth main surface off angle of less than 20°, is developed to minimize wear rate variation and chipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If single-crystal diamond tools are used for perforation and cutting, then hardness and abrasion resistance are improved, but wear rate variation and chipping occur due to nitrogen impurity inconsistencies

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehardnessVSAvoidwear rate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by strictly controlling the nitrogen impurity concentration parameter (non-substitutional nitrogen atoms ≤ 200 ppm) and crystal orientation parameter (off angle < 20°) to resolve the contradiction between maintaining diamond hardness and achieving consistent wear resistance across tool batches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by specifying particular regions and aspects of the diamond crystal structure that require control - specifically the substitutional vs. non-substitutional nitrogen atom distribution and the crystal growth surface orientation - to achieve uniform tool performance while preserving overall hardness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If natural single-crystal diamond is used for tool inserts, then abrasion resistance is improved, but manufacturing precision and performance consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidtool performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms natural diamond with uncontrolled properties into a standardized material by imposing specific parameter ranges: non-substitutional nitrogen atoms ≤ 200 ppm and off angle < 20°, thereby achieving both high abrasion resistance and consistent manufacturing quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a standardized model of diamond material with defined characteristics (nitrogen concentration limits and orientation specifications) that can be replicated across different batches and manufacturers, ensuring consistent tool performance while maintaining superior abrasion resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3327179B1Single crystal diamond material, single crystal diamond tip, and drilling tool
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

In a single-crystal diamond material, a concentration of non-substitutional nitrogen atoms is not more than 200 ppm, a concentration of substitutional nitrogen atoms is lower than the concentration of the non-substitutional nitrogen atoms, and the single-crystal diamond material has a crystal growth main surface having an off angle of not more than 20°. In a single-crystal diamond chip, a concentration of non-substitutional nitrogen atoms can be not more than 200 ppm, a concentration of substitutional nitrogen atoms can be lower than the concentration of the non-substitutional nitrogen atoms, and the single-crystal diamond chip can have a main surface with an off angle of not more than 20°. A perforated tool includes a single-crystal diamond die, wherein in the single-crystal diamond die, a concentration of non-substitutional nitrogen atoms is not more than 200 ppm, a concentration of substitutional nitrogen atoms is lower than the concentration of the non-substitutional nitrogen atoms, and the single-crystal die has a low-index plane represented by a Miller index of not less than -5 and not more than 5 in an integer, a perpendicular line of the low-index plane having an off angle of not more than 20° relative to an orientation of a hole for wire drawing.