Synthetic diamond tools

Written by C2 Diamond Tools on . Posted in Blog.

Synthetic diamond tools are useful for machining, such as dressing, roughing, finishing precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, aluminium, copper, bronze).

C2 manufactures both synthetic and natural diamond tools and in addition to the standard ranges, the C2 design studio is able to assist and provide advice to the customer to design and create custom tools according to the machining needsand thetasks to be carried out, even in the case of particularly complex angles and shaping.

How are synthetic diamonds made?

The difference between synthetic and natural diamonds depends on the production process. In fact, one takes place through technologies designed by man, the other through a geological process.

Synthetic diamonds can be obtained mainly through two methods: HPHT, High – Pressure High – Temperature (synthesis at high pressure and temperature) or CVD, Chemical Vapour Deposition.

The HPHT method consists of producing diamonds from graphite, a diamond allotropic, which differs from it only in its crystalline structure. Synthetic diamonds can be obtained by subjecting graphite to the typical environmental conditions of natural diamond formation. More specifically, the graphite is subjected to temperatures around 1,500 °C and pressures around 6 GPa.

The CVD method, on the other hand, consists of the continuous deposition of carbon from a plasma containing all the information necessary for the formation of the particular crystalline structure of a diamond. This process makes it possible to create synthetic diamonds with much lower temperatures and pressures than the previously mentioned method.

The first synthetic diamonds

The first documented attempts to make synthetic diamonds date back to the period between 1879 and 1928, but only from 1940, in the United States, Sweden and the Soviet Union, using the CVD and HPHO processes, did actual systematic research begin.

The first synthetic diamond was made in 1953 thanks to the HPHT method, while the CVD method was established in the early 2000s.

Advantages and properties of synthetic diamonds.

The creation of synthetic diamonds allows for greater control over imperfections. For this reason, synthetic diamond usually has much less impurities than natural diamond and consequently better properties. Moreover, thanks to the control that man can exercise in the creation of diamonds, some of their characteristics can be modified so that they are more in line with the use that will be made of them later on.

Hardness

The hardness of a synthetic diamond depends on its purity, crystalline perfection and orientation.In fact, thanks to covalent bonds extended to the entire structure and in all directions, the formation of a diamond is particularly stable and cohesive. On average, however, a synthetic diamond can reach a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale and thanks to the use of specific applications it can be controlled more easily. This is why some monocrystalline synthetic diamonds and nano-crystalline HPHT diamonds may be harder than perfect diamonds found in nature.

Impurities and inclusions

Synthetic diamonds may have less impurities than natural diamonds. In fact, in nature diamonds may contain other atoms rather than just carbon. Such atoms can be aggregated into macroscopic phases called inclusions. Usually, when creating synthetic diamonds, impurities tend to be avoided, yet sometimes these can be intentionally introduced to control some properties of the diamond itself. For example, if boron is added to a synthetic diamond, a good electrical conductor can be obtained, while with the addition of nitrogen a diamond obtains greater hardness and resistance.

Thermal conductivity

Synthetic diamond are a good conductor of heat, thanks to the covalent bonds that form inside them. The thermal conductivity of pure diamonds is the highest known for solid objects. If a synthetic diamond is enriched with carbon (99.9%) it has 3,000 W·m −1 ·K −1 at room temperature, i.e. the highest thermal conductivity.

Lower cost

Synthetic diamonds usually have a lower cost than natural diamonds, and better properties, thanks to a reduced amount of impurities. Synthetic diamonds can therefore be expected to replace natural diamonds in industrial applications. Moreover, due to the historical intensive exploitation of natural diamond deposits, diamonds are becoming scarce and therefore their use in the industrial sector is uneconomic.

Mechanical machining and diamond tools

Synthetic diamonds are mainly used for industrial applications. In fact, thanks to their hardness and the characteristics seen above, they are perfect for making diamond-tipped tools, such as those produced by C2. C2 tools enable to carry out processes such as polishing, cutting, grinding and removal of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, aluminium, copper, bronze).

Furthermore, diamond-tipped tools that have good thermal conductivity are also excellent for dissipating heat, generated during mechanical machining.

Diamond tools are not recommended for machining ferrous alloys. In fact at high temperatures carbon is very soluble in iron, and this leads to rapid wear of a chemical type.

C2 Diamond Tools

C2 manufactures both synthetic and natural diamond tools, and can customize tools according to the customer’s design.

Our range of diamond tools includes:

  • Casters
  • Hydro-copiers
  • Posalux
  • Milling cutters
  • Hammers
  • Ice Lathe Tools
  • Vacuum tools
  • Supply chains

C2 also offers a sharpening, restoration and maintenance service on all its tools, enabling to consistently carry out machining safely and efficiently.


    Message sent successfully!

    Thank you for contacting us, we will reply as soon as possible!

    Diamonds in industry

    Written by C2 Diamond Tools on . Posted in Blog.

    Diamonds are well known as a precious stone for, producing jewels, however this is not their only application.

    In fact, thanks to their properties and in particular their hardness, diamonds are also an excellent material for some industrial processes.

    What is a diamond?

    A diamond is not only the precious gem that decorates an engagement ring. In fact, a diamond is scientifically pure carbon, one of the most abundant elements in the universe, but actually rare to be found in the typical composition of this precious stone. This is because the environment and physical conditions, necessary for the formation of diamonds, are very particular and occur sporadically. In fact, it is estimated that it took temperatures between 1,300 – 1,400° C, and pressures of roughly 70 tons/cm², at a depth of 200 km, for diamonds to form. Furthermore, variations in these conditions determine the higher or lower quality of diamonds, produced from a mine.

    Since diamonds are pure carbon, they are formally considered an allotrope of graphite (a material that, unlike diamonds, is easily found in the earth). However, what distinguishes them is their cristalline structure, which is responsible for the physical diversity between diamond and graphite.

    In diamonds, the carbon atom is hybridized sp3 and forms four bonds with four carbon atoms according to a tetrahedral structure, this makes the covalent bonds C-C very strong and makes diamonds the hardest material found in nature.

    Characteristics of a diamond

    Diamonds have some very peculiar characteristics that make them a precious material and usable in various applications.

    Hardness

    Diamonds are the hardest mineral known in nature, its Mohs hardness is equal to 10. This is due to covalent bonds extended to the entire structure and in all directions, which make its formation exceptionally cohesive and stable.

    Diamonds, however, do not all have the same hardness, as this depends on the physical conditions in which they were formed. The hardest diamonds come from the New England area of New South Wales (Australia); this is probably due to the diamond growth, which took place in a single phase.

    Conductivity

    Diamonds are generally good electrical insulators, except for some blue diamonds that are great semiconductors. Their surface, under certain conditions exposed to air, has a conductive behaviour, due to the thin aqueous flim. 

    Diamonds, however, have an excellent thermal conduction up to about 2,500 W/mk, which allows them to dissipate heat during processing, such as mechanical machining.

    Toughness

    Toughness represents the ability of a material to absorb energy in the plastic field, that is, to undergo shocks without fracturing. The average toughness of a natural diamond is 3.4 MN m-3/2, but it can vary greatly depending on the carat and any imperfections present. This peculiarity of diamonds is further influenced by the plane in which the incident force is directed; as a result, a strong impact may be able to damage a diamond. For this reason, C2 offers a sharpening and repair service on all its tools, so as to consistently have a tool at its maximum efficiency.

    Heat resistance

    The resistance of diamonds to heat and fire is considerably high, but this feature depends mostly on its size. A common commercial diamond resists in the atmosphere up to about 1,520° C, but, vice versa, a fine diamond powder is easily flammable and tends to burn without leaving residue, transforming completely into CO2.

    Diamonds for industrial use

    As we have already mentioned, diamonds are not only used as a decoration for jewellery, but they are also an excellent tool for industrial processing, thanks to their unparalleled hardness. In fact, the diamonds chosen for industrial use are not those chosen as gems for jewelry, and often, in this case, a synthetic diamond is preferable to a natural one, as it will have a lower cost.

    The industrial use of diamonds is mainly linked to their hardness, i.e. their wear resistance. In fact, this is a fundamental parameter for all applications where there is a mechanical interaction between multiple bodies. For example, tools used for drilling, cutting and grinding or for polishing precious metals, such as disk tools and posalux in C2 diamond.

    Furthermore, diamond-tipped tools that have good thermal conductivity are also excellent for dissipating heat, generated during mechanical machining.

    Diamond tools are not recommended for machining ferrous alloys, in fact at high temperatures carbon is very soluble in iron, and this leads to rapid wear of a chemical type.

    C2 Diamond Tools

    C2 manufactures any type of diamond tool for processing precious materials(gold, silver, platinum, aluminium, copper, bronze). Our tools are suitable for machining such as dressing, roughing, finishing and are available in both natural diamond and synthetic diamond. The use of diamond tools is particularly recommended for creating a mirror finish, because it is not necessary to polish or deburr the products and it is also excellent for those materials where polishing is not possible.


      Message sent successfully!

      Thank you for contacting us, we will reply as soon as possible!

      Vicenza

      The goldsmith district in Vicenza

      Written by C2 Diamond Tools on . Posted in Blog.

      Goldsmithing and the processing of precious metals in general are among the flagships of Made in Italy and constitute one of the pillars of Italian clothing-fashion.

      This is mainly thanks to the activity of the three main goldsmith districts: Valenza, Arezzo, Vicenza.

      The founder of C2, Gian Battista Cipriani, cooperated with all three districts, thus coming into contact with the main dynamics and the most ancient traditions of this sector, using them to meet the most demanding requests of goldsmiths, with C2 diamond tools.

      Furthermore, the main headquarters of C2 is located in the goldsmith district of Vicenza, in Bassano del Grappa.

      History of the Vicenza district

      The first evidence of the presence of goldsmith activity in the Vicenza area dates back to the Iron Age, when the numerous gold jewels found in the area were produced.

      In the history of the fundamental Vicenza district there is an important date, 1399. The year in which the act of the constitution of the “Fraglia degli Orafi di Vicenza” is established, that is, the formation of a corporation of 150 artisans from Vicenza, which testifies the existence of a flourishing goldsmith activity.

      The goldsmith district of Vicenza also developed an important link with the Serenissima Republic of Venice during the 1500s. In fact, the products of the Vicenza artisans were in great demand by the Venetian nobles and the church, as a manifestation of their wealth and power. This led the artisan workshops to expand further, transforming Vicenza and Bassano del Grappa into the most important centres of the territory.

      However, only during the Renaissance did the goldsmith art of Vicenza reach its maximum expression thanks also to the work of Valerio Belli, an intimate friend of Michelangelo and Raphael, who as aresult of his mastery was mentioned by Vasari in his writings “Vite“.

      In 1800, however, there was an actual industrialization of the sector. In fact, alongside the ancient workshops and laboratories, small companies began to develop, mostly family-run, which, over time, passed on the goldsmith tradition and at the same time continued to innovate, thus managing to satisfy and anticipate fashion trends on international markets.

      The goldsmith district in Vicenza

      The Vicenza goldsmith district is one of the most important national goldsmith districts, in fact with over 800 companies and almost 10,000 employees it produces a turnover of 3,000 million euros and, together with the district of Arezzo, today holds the Italian leadership in goldsmith production.

      Today Vicenza companies process about 40% of the gold imported into Italy with a turnover that derives almost 50% from exports.

      The production is of a medium-high range, with products of high quality and value. The activity is widespread throughout the provincial territory, with a greater concentration in Vicenza, and with a prevalence of medium and small-sized companies, often of an artisanal nature and highly specialized in Trissino and Bassano del Grappa.

      Vicenza also hosts one of the most important fairs in the sector Vicenzaoro, which attracts visitors from all over the world every year, making the city the Italian and international capital of goldsmiths.

      Characteristics of the Vicenza district

      The typical companies of the Vicenza gold district are mostly of an artisan nature, with some important large industrial companies. Over time these companies, thanks to technologically advanced machinery and tools such as our diamond tools, have been able to reach high production volumes.

      The typical creations made in Vicenza are chains, straps and medals, which can be worked with tools such as our diamond wire dies and our posalux. These productions are carried out in particular in the area of Bassano del Grappa, headquarters of C2.

      Today however, the production range is more diversified. In fact, fine jewellery and mini-jewellery are also made, with the creation of lighter and more refined and sophisticated items like our hydrocopiers and our diamond milling cutters.

      Strengths of the Vicenza goldsmith district

      Among the strengths that distinguish this district and that make it one of the most important districts in Italy, we can include:

      • High production quality
      • Production flexibility;
      • Strong orientation towards foreign markets;
      • Unique experience, know-how and skills
      • The complete goldsmith chain, of which C2 is also a part of.
      • Internationally renowned trade fairs
      • Training and research centres specialised in the processing of precious metals, such as the precious metals laboratory at the Chamber of Commerce;
      • Innovative initiatives on the subject of research, communication and the development of creativity
      • Strong cohesion of the territorial system, aimed at improving the support and promotion network of the sector.

      The goldsmith district in Vicenza

      C2 is a manufacturer of diamond tools, useful for processes such as dressing, roughing and finishing of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, aluminum, copper and bronze), located in the heart of Bassano del Grappa, one of the major production centres in the goldsmith district of Vicenza.

      In addition to the standard range, the C2 design studio is able to assist and provide advice to the customer to create customised tools even with particularly complex angles and shaping, allowing goldsmiths to innovate their processing techniques, with a consistent view towards tradition.


        Message sent successfully!

        Thank you for contacting us, we will reply as soon as possible!

        Contacts

        C2 di Cipriani Ivan & C. sas.

        Via delle Rose 11,
        36061 Bassano del Grappa VI
        tel/fax: +39 0424 566716
        e-mail: info@c2utensili.it
        P.Iva: 01536270240

        Privacy policy | Cookie policy

        Menu
        Tools
        Newsletter



          © C2 utensili. All rights reserved.
          Project by Spherica. Development by edemon