Structural-Phase State of the Interphase Boundary at Thermal Diffusion Metallization of Diamond Grains by Cr and Ti

Abstract

Structural-phase state of the diamond-metallized coating interphase boundary after thermal diffusion metallization of diamond grains by transition metals Cr, Ti were studied. Metallization were conducted under temperature-time mode corresponding to the sintering of cemented carbide matrices with Cu impregnation. The structural-phase state of the metallized coating and diamond-coating interphase boundary was studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray phase analysis and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that a thin continuous metal carbide coating chemically bonded to the diamond and consisting of the corresponding metal, their carbides and small amount of graphite phases is formed during thermal diffusion metallization of diamond by Cr and Ti under the conditions specified in the experiment. It was shown that graphite is formed not by a continuous layer, but in the form of local inclusions. This ensures a strong adhesion of the metallized coating to the diamond through the carbides of the corresponding metals. The results can be useful in the development of compositions and technological methods that provide an increased level of diamond retention in the matrices of tools based on cemented carbide powder mixtures.