The aqueous electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of diamond–diamond laminates

The aqueous electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of a diamond/diamond laminate with two alternating grades of diamond was investigated. Diamond particles of average particle size 0.5 μm and 2 μm were deposited in an alternating manner onto tungsten carbide substrate. The layered diamond deposit was sintered with the carbide substrate in a high-pressure, high-temperature press. The sintered deposit was examined for evidence of alternating residual stresses. Differences of cobalt content in the 0.5 and 2 μm layers were observed by image analysis. The sintered diamond laminate demonstrated only minimal crack deflection during three-point bending.

► Diamond laminates with two alternating grades of diamond were electrophoretically deposited using an aqueous suspensions.
► The layered diamond deposits were successfully sintered on a WC-Co substrate.
► The PCD laminates made were found to contain different volume fractions of cobalt metal in the two types of layers used.