Post by Leafy on Apr 9, 2009 8:38:10 GMT -5
I've noticed a recent spike in the amount of people using diamond coated cutting tools to cut steel. If any of you have seen those then you'd notice the recent spike in my all caps writing telling people not to do that. Well heres is the reasoning behind this.
When steel is first being forged the foundry will add carbon typically in the form of soot or other carbon waste to the alloy to make the steel harder. The steel loves this because it as well as its base iron both love to absorb carbon when heat is applied. To sum that up more carbon in the steel mixture equals harder steel (typically). A diamond is a carbon formation, it is the hardest material known to man. Since diamond is carbon and when you use a cutting tool you produce heat what do you think happens when you use a diamond coated cutting tool on steel or iron
When steel is first being forged the foundry will add carbon typically in the form of soot or other carbon waste to the alloy to make the steel harder. The steel loves this because it as well as its base iron both love to absorb carbon when heat is applied. To sum that up more carbon in the steel mixture equals harder steel (typically). A diamond is a carbon formation, it is the hardest material known to man. Since diamond is carbon and when you use a cutting tool you produce heat what do you think happens when you use a diamond coated cutting tool on steel or iron
PBf Feedback:
The diamond coating comes right off the cutting tool and goes right into the steel or iron making the piece harder and thus harder to cut. Now that its harder to cut you will be making even more heat in the cutting process which will make even more of the diamond coating to come off the tool and be absorbed into the work piece, its a vicious cycle. Until you are left with a very hard work piece and dull piece of cheap tool steel (well if you're using a dremel tool), and are out the large amount of money you paid for that diamond coated tool. The correct tool material to use on steel would be either carbide (your best option) or some sort of coated (but not diamond) high speed steel. Leave the diamond coated tools for non ferrous materials (they go through aluminum like its not even there) as I have shown the most expensive tool isnt always the best tool for the job.