Polishing of polycrystalline diamond by the technique of dynamic friction, part 4: Establishing the polishing map

Through a systematic experimental investigation into the polishing of polycrystalline diamond composites by the dynamic friction technique, this paper identified three major regimes of polishing conditions: the regime capable of a low material removal, that enabling a safe, high removal processing, and that of an unsafe but ultra-high material removal. The study concluded that a higher polishing pressure–speed combination results in a high material removal rate, but with a greater risk of workpiece cracking. At a too low-pressure–speed combination, on the other hand, material removal may not take place. Based on the systematic experimental measurements, the paper established a polishing map to characterise the polishing conditions. It was found that using the polishing parameters determined by this polishing map, a quality surface finish can be obtained efficiently in duration about 10 times shorter than that of the abrasive polishing process currently used in industry.