Processing of diamond/alumina composites for low wear applications

A simple hot-pressing procedure for fabricating composites of diamond particulates in an alumina matrix at moderate applied pressures is described. Dense composites with up to 33 vol. % diamond particles are made by pressure-sintering at applied stress of 35 MPa in vacuum atmosphere. Preliminary wear tests of these composites on magnetic thin-film rigid disks show a low friction comparable to that of single crystalline diamond. Diamond/alumina composites can be an economical alternative to diamond or diamond coated materials for abrasion resistant applications. © 1992, Materials Research Society. All rights reserved.