Diamond fibres for structural applications were produced by hot filame
nt chemical vapour deposition onto tungsten substrates. A relatively h
igh deposition rate of 2.1 mu m h(-1) was obtained, with potential for
further increases in the growth rate. Raman spectroscopy of the coati
ngs revealed reasonable diamond quality, which was supported by the hi
gh elastic modulus measured (880 GPa). Microtexture measurements were
performed on the fibres and these revealed about 50% of the diamond gr
owth in the [001] direction. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.