CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) diamonds share many characteristics with natural diamonds, including their internal structure, chemical composition, and physical properties. They are renowned for their durability, scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, and exhibit intense brilliance and sparkle. However, CVD diamonds often have less desirable traits such as brown undertones, spotty inclusions, and internal graining, which may require post-growth treatments like HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) to enhance their appearance. These treatments can sometimes result in a milky or hazy appearance. Despite these challenges, CVD diamonds are widely used in optical and mechanical fields due to their hardness and wear resistance, making them suitable for applications like thin diamond film-coated tools and brazing diamond film tools, particularly in machining auto parts. They are graded similarly to natural diamonds based on cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, and can range from heavily included to nearly flawless in quality.
Key Points Explained:
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Similarity to Natural Diamonds:
- CVD diamonds have the same internal structure, chemical makeup, and physical properties as natural diamonds.
- They are extremely durable, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, and exhibit intense brilliance and sparkle.
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Common Traits:
- CVD diamonds often exhibit less desirable traits such as brown undertones, spotty inclusions, and internal graining.
- These traits may require post-growth treatments like HPHT to enhance their appearance, though this can sometimes result in a milky or hazy look.
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Quality and Grading:
- CVD diamonds are graded similarly to natural diamonds based on cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
- They can range in quality from heavily included to nearly flawless.
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Applications in Optical and Mechanical Fields:
- CVD diamonds have significant applications in optical and mechanical fields due to their hardness and wear resistance.
- They are used to make thin diamond film-coated tools and brazing diamond film tools, which are particularly suitable for machining auto parts.
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Performance and Durability:
- CVD diamond tools have a hardness of 8,500 kgf/mm2, making them extremely hard and durable.
- They are suitable for cutting non-ferrous materials but not for steel cutting, as high temperatures can melt the diamond, causing the tool to wear faster.
- The tool life of CVD diamond tools is 2-10 times longer than PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond), and they perform approximately 35% better than PCD.
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Color and Clarity:
- CVD diamonds are typically colorless, but they can exhibit brown tints and internal graining, which may require treatments to improve their appearance.
- Despite these challenges, they can achieve high levels of clarity and color, making them suitable for various applications.
In summary, CVD diamonds offer a combination of the desirable properties of natural diamonds with some unique challenges and advantages. Their hardness, durability, and optical properties make them valuable in both industrial and gemological applications, though they may require treatments to achieve the best possible appearance.
Summary Table:
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Similarity to Natural Diamonds | Same internal structure, chemical makeup, and physical properties. |
| Hardness | Scores 10 on the Mohs scale, extremely durable. |
| Common Traits | Brown undertones, spotty inclusions, internal graining; may require HPHT. |
| Quality and Grading | Graded like natural diamonds (cut, color, clarity, carat weight). |
| Applications | Optical and mechanical fields; thin diamond film-coated tools, auto parts. |
| Performance | Hardness: 8,500 kgf/mm²; 2-10x longer tool life than PCD. |
| Color and Clarity | Typically colorless; may require treatments for improved appearance. |
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