Surface engineering of metal-diamond composite coatings on steel substrates using chemical vapour deposition and electroplating routes

The-chemical vapour deposition (CVD) route has been employed, in-the presen t case, to enhance the bonding of diamond particles to the metal matrix in the Ni-diamond-composite-coated stainless steel CSS) substrate. The substra tes were coated with various combinations of Ni-diamond composite coatings prior to CVD to suppress the diffusion of Fe on the deposition surface. Two CVD processes were then used for the growth of metal diamond composite and continuous diamond films on these buffer-layered substrates. Scanning elec tron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy show the growth o f high quality diamond films on the substrates. Energy dispersive X-ray ana lysis shows almost zero Fe content at the surface after CVD treatment. A mo dified Ni-diamond composite layer provides the mast suitable base to grow w ell-adhered and improved crystalline diamond on SS. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce S.A. All rights reserved.