NANOSCALE GRINDING OF CERAMICS USING DIAMOND FIBERS

Diamond fibres have been manufactured by CVD on to W wires. The fibers were used to grind optical glass and alumina. The surfaces were studi ed using Talysurf, SEM, and atomic force microscopy. Nanoscale surface roughness values have been obtained and ductile grinding was produced on glass. The results suggest that the shallow depth of cut produced by the surface diamond facets will lead to reduced surface damage, and the high density of cutting sites will allow high rates of material r emoval. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.