Mechanical properties of polycrystalline diamonds

Abstract

The room temperature mechanical properties of polycrystalline diamonds, i.e. tensile strength, transverse rupture strength, compressive strength, impact strength, fracture toughness, and elastic constants, have been determined. The applied test techniques are described and the results compared with those obtained by other authors. The fracture mode under the present experimental conditions was primarily transgranular. A grain size dependence, where strength increases with decreasing grain size, has been found. Fracture toughness was found to go through a maximum for grain sizes between 10 to 30 μm. The modulus of elasticity increases with increasing grain size. An influence of cobalt content on strength and modulus of elasticity has been found, while no significant influence on toughness could be determined. Increasing the cobalt content increases strength, but has the inverse effect on the modulus of elasticity. The results of strength, toughness, and elastic constants measurements are discussed in terms of available models and theories of polycrystalline ceramic materials. It can be seen from the results that polycrystalline diamonds behave in a manner similar to that of most engineering ceramics, but have the distinct advantage of a higher fracture toughness.MST/596